Synthesis and Characterization of Hematite onto Cellulose Supports for Adsorption of Roxarsone

Abstract

This study reports on the development of an iron oxide-cellulose composite material for the controlled removal of 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzenearsonic acid (roxarsone), a model organoarsenical. Hematite (He) and a hematite-cellulose (HeCell) composite adsorbents were prepared and characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption, and various spectroscopic (IR, Raman, XRD, and TEM) methods. The uptake of roxarsone at ambient conditions of He and HeCell, and goethite-cellulose (GoCell) adsorbent were compared to study the factors that influence adsorption. The monolayer adsorption capacity (mmol/g) of each adsorbent are listed in parentheses, as follows: cellulose (0.028), goethite (0.0730), Hematite (0.155), 10 % Fe coated GoCell (0.0222) and 10% Fe coated HeCell (0.0873). The relatively large surface area of hematite nanoparticles (NPs) and good dispersion of these NPs onto the cellulose supports contribute to their effective adsorption of roxarsone.