Unlocking the magnetic potential of Fe2O3 nanoparticles by single-step synthesis of cobalt-infused nanomaterials for chromium removal

Abstract

The study optimized the chromium removal capacity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles through the infusion of cobalt using a single-step synthesis method. This approach not only enhanced their magnetic properties but also employs less-chemical synthesis techniques, ultimately yielding highly magnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and less impurities. The prepared materials underwent comprehensive testing, encompassing examinations of their optical properties, structure, chemical composition, and surface characteristics using various analyticals methods. In a span of 90 min under visible light exposure, CoFe2O4 nanoparticles exhibit the ability to remove more that 90% of chromium. This was corroborated through analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Moreover, the study illustrates that increased temperatures amplify the endothermic process of chromium adsorption. Positive ΔH°, negative ΔS°, and heightened Cr(IV) adsorption are linked to the temperature effects on solubility, mobility, and dissolved oxygen. Both Langmuir (R2 = 0.95, RL = 0.055) and Freundlich models (R2 = 0.98, n = 0.69) suggest favorable adsorption. The efficient Cr(IV) adsorption by CoFe2O4 nanocomposite is attributed to a rapid reaction rate and substantial capacity, following pseudo-second order kinetics (rate constant 0.01 g mg−1 min−1, R2 = 0.99).Graphical abstract