Removal of heavy metals and dyes by supported nano zero-valent iron on barium ferrite microfibers.

Abstract

The binary nano zero-valent iron/barium ferrite (NZVI/BFO) microfibers with uniform diameters and high porosity were prepared by the organic gel-thermal selective reduction process. The composite microfibers are fabricated from nano zero-valent iron and nano BaFe12O19 grains. The effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time on the adsorption of heavy metals and dyes have been investigated. The adsorption isotherms of heavy metals and dyes on the microfibers are well described by the Langmuir model, in which the estimated adsorption capacities are 14.5, 29.9, 68.3 and 110.4 mg/g for Pb(II), As(V), Congo red and methylene blue, respectively. After five cycles, these microfibers still exhibit a high removal efficiency for As(V), Pb(II), Congo red and methylene blue. The enhanced adsorption characteristics can be attributed to the porous structure, strong surface activity and electronic hopping. Therefore, the magnetic NZVI/BFO microfibers can be used as an efficient, fast and high capacity adsorbent for heavy metals and dyes removal.