Abstract
Arsenite (As(III)) and Selenate (Se(VI)) are universally touted as extremely toxic oxyanions in natural and industrial water systems. Thus, the production of low-cost adsorbents that are scalable and toxic-free is of great importance today. In this work, a large-scale goethite nanorods (α-FeOOH NRs) is synthesized using a modified rapid hydrolysis method. The obtained powder is characterized using different multidisciplinary techniques. Accordingly, the results showed uniform and straight nanorods (length ~400 nm and diameter ~40 nm) resembling cigar-like morphology while the structure is confirmed to be of orthorhombic α-FeOOH phase. The potential application of this material to adsorb As (III) and Se (VI) ions in water is explored. In particular, for initial adsorbate concentrations (~500 µg/L), the removal efficiencies are found exceptional with α-FeOOH doses of 0.33 g/L and ~0.5 g/L for As (III) and Se (VI), respectively. Attractively, the adsorption capacities were estimated using trusted isotherms and then experimentally verified at ultimately high concentrations. Besides, a pH-controlled adsorption study showed that a pH of 5–8 is a favored range for higher ionic uptake, which meets the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmarks of drinking water. To conclude, the α-FeOOH NRs are potential adsorbent for the sustainable removal of toxin ions in water systems.
Highlights
The existence of heavy metals in water systems, soils, and sediments is a worldwide health issue [1,2,3]
Arsenite (As(III)) is an extremely toxic and hazardous substance in groundwater and a difficult pollutant to be removed from water systems [6,7]
The present study introduced an approach to the synthesis of bulk and highly crystalline α-FeOOH nanorods NRs using a simple and rapid hydrolysis method
Summary
The existence of heavy metals in water systems, soils, and sediments is a worldwide health issue [1,2,3]. Arsenic and selenium are among the most toxic elements found in natural and industrial environments. They are naturally present in water, soil, rocks, animals, plants, and air [4,5,6,7,8]. Arsenite (As(III)) is an extremely toxic and hazardous substance in groundwater and a difficult pollutant to be removed from water systems [6,7]. Selenite (Se(IV)) and Selenate (Se(VI)) are the most commonly present toxic selenium species in the ecosystem [8].
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