Renewable Resource-Based Magnetic Nanocomposites for Removal and Recovery of Phosphorous from Contaminated Waters

Water pollution by P (phosphorous) is a serious water-related issue being faced by mankind during the past two decades. Several technologies already exist to remove P from contaminated water, but each has its own drawbacks. The present paper discusses a novel microwave-assisted synthesis of reduced iron oxide containing renewable-resource-based media for P removal from contaminated waters. It provides a fast, easy, and economical way to produce reduced iron oxide nanocomposites without requiring the need for hydrogen or inert gas during the transformation. A wide range of other metal/ carbon nanocomposites can also be synthesized using this technology and therefore holds tremendous economic promise. The prepared media were highly effective and efficient in removing P. A 100 % P removal efficiency was attained using a 1 mg/L standard P stock solution and a maximum capacity of 43.7 mg P/g of composite was achieved using 500 mg/L standard P stock solution. The present technology is highly economical as the carbon source employed was a renewable resource media with a high regeneration capacity. The present technology may also be used for arsenic removal from similarly contaminated water. The method of preparation of media, treatment methodology, and characterization methods are also discussed.