The PhD dissertation, titled “Preparation and Characterization of a Magnetic Nano-Clay Hydrogel Composite and its Application in Removing Chemical Pollutants,” was submitted to the Chemistry Department at the College of Education, Al-Qadisiyah University. The dissertation was conducted by researcher Sajid Shaker Abbas and supervised by Professor Dr. Laith Samir Jassim.

The dissertation aimed to prepare magnetic iron oxide, hydrogel, and a polymer composite, and to use them as adsorbent surfaces to remove the dyes MG and RhB, and the metal ions Pb(II) and Cd(II) from their aqueous solutions. It also aimed to determine the surface’s ability to adsorb these dyes and ions.

The most important conclusions showed that the adsorbent composite exhibited very high adsorption capacity for the dyes MG and RhB, and the heavy metal ions Pb(II) and Cd(II). The adsorption process for the dyes MG and RhB was observed to be exothermic, as the adsorption rate increased. Lowering the temperature increases the adsorption of lead ions, which is an endothermic process, as their adsorption rate increases with increasing temperature. Cadmium, on the other hand, is an exothermic process, meaning its adsorption rate increases with decreasing temperature.

The most important recommendations are to conduct further experimental studies on the adsorbent complex for its use in the adsorption of other toxic chemical pollutants, such as organic and inorganic pollutants, and to study the complex’s adsorption capacity at high temperatures, as well as to investigate the adsorption isotherms at new concentrations, both with and without the presence of certain salts.