Removal of heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater using magnetic nanoparticles

In this work Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) and Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were synthesized using Co-precipitation method and characterization was done using XRD, SEM, EDS and FTIR Spectroscopy. Size of these particles was found to be in the range of 20 to 100 nm and they were used as nano adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions like chromium and copper from the artificial wastewater. Adsorption depends with the optimum conditions of parameters such as pH (2.5 and 6.5), contact time (60 and 80) minutes, dosages with at room temperature for chromium and copper were observed with a removal efficiency of 92 %. These particles showed remarkable efficiency in removal of metals. Further, these particles were regenerated for reuse, desorption was done using HCL and NaOH effluent for copper and chromium metals respectively. The removals of pollutant enhanced with magnetic nanoparticles are evident with obtained results. The separation factor (r) lies between 0 and 1 indicating that the favour of Langmuir isotherm for both chromium and copper ions.