Use of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles to Remove Arsenite from Contaminated Water

Abstract

The arsenite removal from the water was attributed using thiol (S-H) coupled magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The composite Fe3O4-SiO2-linker-AB9 (AB-MNP) was made using MNPs coated with the amine-functionalized silica surface, which is then coupled to AB9= 2,2’-(isophthaloybis(azanaediyl))bis-3-mercaptopropanoic acid; (a sulfhydryl compound with pendant carboxylate groups). Complete arsenic removal was achieved with As(III) solutions of 200, 500, and 1000 ppb resulting in detectable arsenic dropped to below 10 ppb. This single solid-composite immobilize As(III) by forming strong covalent As-S bonds producing “proposed” structure As(III)-AB9@MNP (Figure 1). The components of this new composite material are made from non-toxic, earth-abundant elements, and rapid magnetic separation allows them to be used as an effective, affordable means of providing arsenic-free drinking water to at-risk populations around the world. Figure 1