Use of micrometer hematite particles and nanodispersed goethite as sorbent for heavy metals

Sorption properties of micrometer hematite particles and goethite nanoparticles were studied. Goethite nanoparticles were produced by chemical precipitation from iron nitrate and stabilized with potassium hydrotartrate. Data on how the sorption properties of goethite nanoparticles depend on temperature and acidity of the medium were used to determine the optimal values of these parameters, at which the maximum sorption of metals are obtained. The higher sorption properties of goethite nanoparticles with respect for all the heavy metal ions under study were found as compared with the micrometer hematite and published data. The results obtained can be used in purification of wastewater containing heavy metal ions.