Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles using Pistacia-atlantica leaf extract for enhanced removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

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The discharge of chromium-containing wastewater from various industries into aqueous environments is regarded as an important and challengeable matter due to its high toxicity. The application of conventional methods for eliminating this pollutant are often very expensive and difficult. Therefore, the adsorption process has been introduced as a desirable and effective method for removing chromium ions from aqueous media. In this research, iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) were synthesized using Pistacia-atlantica leaf extract as a reducing agent, then they were characterized by DLS, XRD, FT-IR, FESEM/EDS, and TEM techniques and its effectiveness to eliminate hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) from aqueous solutions was carried out. The capability of the batch adsorption procedure was assessed under different operational factors, such as initial pH, adsorbent dose and initial Cr (VI) concentration. Optimum adsorption conditions were determined at initial pH of 2, Cr (VI) concentration of 25 mg L−1 and adsorbent dose of 0.24 g L−1. Based on the obtained results, the highest removal efficiency (99.9%) by the adsorption process was occurred at pH of 2, concentration of 5 mg L−1 and 30 min of operational time. On the other hand, the results showed that the percentage of the pollutant elevated by increasing the contact time and amount of adsorbent dose, whereas that of was declined by increasing the initial concentration of Cr (VI). Besides, the experimental equilibrium data was evaluated by Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models, and the outcomes revealed conformity with the Langmuir isotherm model. The Cr (VI) adsorption utilizing Fe-NPs adhered to a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Eventually, thermodynamic studies demonstrated that the adsorption of Cr (VI) onto the surface of the Fe-NPs is endothermic and spontaneous.