Selective Removal of Lead (II) Ion from Wastewater Using Superparamagnetic Monodispersed Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles as a Effective Adsorbent

This study investigated the applicability of polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles for the selective removal of toxic pb (II) ion from wastewater. The Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles of 24 nm were synthesized using a coprecipitation method and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibratingsample magnetometer (VSM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM images show that the dimension of particles is about 24 nm. VSM patterns indicate superparamagnetic properties of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoadsorbent. XRD indicated the sole existence of inverse cubic spinel phase of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoadsorbent. The influence of different parameters, such as pH, contact time and type of eluent on the amount of Pb2+ removed were investigated. The adsorption process was found to be highly pH dependent, which made the nanoparticles selectively adsorb this metal from wastewater. The optimum pH required for maximum adsorption was found to be 6 for lead. The maximum contact time for the equilibrium condition is 10 min. The modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles thus regenerated could be used again to remove the Pb+2 ions.