A novel method for removal of Cr(VI) using polypyrrole magnetic nanocomposite in the presence of unsteady magnetic fields

Abstract

Abstract A key source for existence on earth is water. Therefore, its conservation is a key issue to all of us. Many purification techniques have been implemented over the years for the advanced treatment of wastewater. The present study highlights on the preparation of polypyrrole (PPy) based magnetic nanocomposite for a fast-adsorptive Cr(VI) ion removal from wastewater using unsteady electromagnetic field. PPy/Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite was prepared via in-situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole monomer using FeCl3 oxidant in the presence of suspended Fe3O4 nanoparticles. For physico-chemical properties, resultant magnetic material was characterized using ATR-FTIR, XRD, BET, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, ESR, VSM and zeta sizer. The adsorption capacity and adsorption kinetics were measured by altering the magnetic field intensity, adsorbent dosage, and pH with a maximum adsorption capacity of 208.77 mg/g using the Langmuir isotherm model for the equilibrium Cr(VI) uptake. Results showed a maximum removal up to 99.2% at a magnetic field of 18.99 mT of 50 mg/L Cr(VI) solution at pH 2 with particle aggregation noticed. The results revealed that hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) removal induced by a magnetic field, resulted in a higher efficiency of wastewater treatment attributed to increase particles interaction resulting from increased velocity due to Lorentz force.