Biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles at different temperatures and its application for the removal of Zinc by plant mediated nanoparticle, as an eco-friendly nanoadsorbent

Abstract

Surface and underground water sources are threatened by various pollutants every day. Due to the fact that heavy metals do not disappear, their presence in the environment is very dangerous. Therefore, in this study, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using Aloe vera extract and their application for Zinc removal from aqueous solution was studied. Nanoparticles were synthesized in different temperature conditions of 25 °C and 90 °C. The synthesized nanoparticle characteristics were identified using SEM, EDX, XRD, BET surface area, FTIR and UV–visible Spectroscopy. The SEM images indicated that the iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized at 25 °C and 90 °C had spherical morphology with average particle diameter 62.96 nm and 65.34 nm and based on BET results with a specific surface area of 37.450 and 42.520 m2 g−1, respectively. Adsorption of Zn(ΙΙ) in aqueous solution on the surface of synthesized nanoparticles was investigated and the highest adsorption efficiency was obtained at pH = 7, T = 25 °C, adsorbent concentration = 0.3 g/L, contact time = 90 min, adsorbed concentration = 10 mg/L. The adsorption fitted the pseudo second-order kinetic rate equation well, which confirmed that adsorption was via chemisorption. Freundlich model compared to Langmuir model can better describe the adsorption behavior of Zinc with iron oxide nanoparticles. Nanoparticles synthesized at 90 °C had a more uniform structure and higher absorption capacity. The absorption efficiency of 99 % was observed for nanoparticles synthesized.