One-step synthesis of zero-valent Sn nanoparticles and potential microwave remediation of lead from water

Abstract

Nano zero-valent metals (nZVM) widely used as an adsorbent for heavy metal remediation from water. However, the disadvantages of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) are low stability, rapid passivation, and limited mobility. Therefore, the present study aimed to synthesize stable zero-valent Sn nanoparticles(zero-valent Sn NPS) without any surface protection for water remediation of lead (II). The size of zero-valent Sn NPS were14−39 nm, with high thermal stability. The maximum metal capacity obtained from this experiment was 5300 μmol/g at 20 s under pH 7 via microwave adsorption technique, the kinetic and adsorption isotherm study supported with the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Kinetic study shows that zero-valent Sn NPS are undergoing pseudo-second-order, which confirms that the adsorption reaction is a chemisorption reaction. Also, adsorption isotherm data show that the adsorption process obeys the Freundlich model, which confirms the formation of a multilayer of Pb(II) over the nano sorbent surface.