Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution using Fe3O4nanoparticles coated with Schiff base ligand

Abstract

AbstractFe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with Schiff base ligand were prepared to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. The structure, optical properties, and morphology of the as-synthesized Fe3O4@SiO2/Schiff base ligand were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction technique, FT-IR, and scanning electron microscopy. Experiments showed that Fe3O4@SiO2/Schiff base ligand nanoadsorbent can be effectively used to remove Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ni(II) ions from water. Fe3O4@SiO2/Schiff base ligand nanoparticles could be separated by external magnet after adsorption process. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 60 min and maximum removal of metal ions was obtained at pH 5. The isotherm analyses indicated that the adsorption data better fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 97.2, 87, and 81.6 mg g−1 for Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ni(II), respectively. In addition, adsorption kinetic data followed a pseudo-second-order rate for three tested metal ions.