Synthesis and characterization of magnetic nano-material for removal of Eu3+ ions from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Ferrite coated apatite magnetic nano-material was synthesized by a co-precipitation method and applied in removal of Eu(III) ions from aqueous solutions. The sample was firstly characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, deferential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, surface area by nitrogen adsorption and scanning electron microscopy. The results of physicochemical properties indicated that the synthesized magnetic nano-adsorbent had a crystalline structure and possessed a surface area amounted to 85.11 m2 g−1. Further, it was found to have high thermal resistance up to 600 °C and mean particle size of about 63 nm. The kinetic of Eu(III) sorption indicated that equilibrium state was attained within 12 h with using 5 mg as an appropriate nano-adsorbent weight. The sorption process was pH and ionic strength dependent. The maximum adsorbed amount of Eu(III) was attained at pH 2.5 with value reached to 157.14 mg g−1. Desorption of Eu(III) from loaded samples was studied using various eluents and maximum recovery was obtained using FeCl3 solution.