Fabrication of a magmolecule using nanoparticle and evaluation of its adsorption capacity for selenium ions from nuclear wastewater

The purpose of present study is to fabrication of a magmolecule (amino-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles) and evaluation of its adsorption capacity for selenite (SeO 3 2− ) ions from nuclear wastewater. To accomplish this, synthesized magnetite nanoparticles is coated with a layer of SiO 2 in order to be chemically stable and then functionalized with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) to be more effective. Adsorption of SeO 3 2− ions was investigated in batch technique. The effect of parameters such as solution pH, presence of competing anions using sulfuric acid and nitric acid (NO 3 − , HSO 4 − and SO 4 2− ) and temperature were studied. Maximum adsorption occurred at pH 2.4 for magnetite (naked nanoparticle) and 1.7 for functionalized nanoparticles, while the dose of adsorbent was 1 g/L and selenite ion concentration was 50 mg/L. sulfuric acid was selected as the better acidic agent for controlling pH of solution. Thermodynamic parameters were also calculated and it has been found that the adsorption was endothermic. The obtained result showed that the naked particles had more adsorption capacity but it has been suggested usage of functionalized particles in the magmolecule process duo to stability and reusable capability.