Adsorption of mercury from aqueous solution on synthetic polydopamine nanocomposite based on magnetic nanoparticles using Box–Behnken design

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the possibility of using synthesized functional polydopamine@Fe3O4 nanocomposite (PDA@Fe3O4) with magnetic response and a special surface area as the most effective adsorbent to remove the mercury (Hg(II)) from aqueous solution in batch process (in batch mode/ in batch phase/ in bach processing/ in a batch process). The structural characterization of this nanocomposite was performed by XRD, TEM, TGA and FTIR analyses. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the Hg(II) adsorption capacity mg/g with three experimental factors using Box–Behnken design (BBD). The optimum conditions included: pH 5.36, Hg(II) initial concentration 98.65 mg/g, contact time 5.17 h. The maximum adsorption capacity of Hg(II) in batch administrations was 307 mg/g.