Abstract
The effective removal of heavy metal ions, particularly Pb(II), from contaminated water sources remains a pressing environmental concern. This study explores the potential of Fe3O4/MgO nanocomposites as an efficient adsorbent for selective Pb(II) removal. The Fe3O4/MgO nanocomposite was synthesized using a controlled sol-gel method and characterized using various techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of cubic MgO and cubic Fe3O4. Pb(II) adsorption induced a crystallographic transformation, forming hexagonal Mg(OH)2 crystals, indicating interaction with the adsorbent. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis revealed pyramid-like and irregular crystal morphologies. Pyramid-like structures provided a larger surface area and active sites for effective Pb(II) interaction, while irregular crystal particles, representing magnetic Fe3O4, contributed to stability and dispersibility. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) results confirmed superparamagnetic behaviour with a saturation magnetization of 32.02 emu g-1, indicating potential for magnetic separation and recovery in various wastewater treatment applications. Adsorption experiments utilized optimized conditions: an initial concentration of 600 mg L-1, adsorbent dosage of 0.25 g L-1, pH of 7, and 120 minutes of reaction time. The Fe3O4/MgO nanocomposite exhibited exceptional performance with a remarkable 99.98% removal efficiency and a high adsorption capacity of 2399.44 mg g-1. These impressive results underscore the outstanding adsorption potential of the nanocomposite. Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.99), confirming suitability for Pb(II) removal. The Freundlich model indicated a heterogeneous surface with different adsorption sites. Overall, the Fe3O4/MgO nanocomposite exhibits potential as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly adsorbent for removing Pb(II) ions, providing a promising solution for water purification and environmental remediation.
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