A method for preparing silica-containing iron(III) oxide adsorbents for arsenic removal

A method for preparing iron(III)-based binary oxide adsorbents in a granulated form for arsenic removal was studied. The key step in the method was the simultaneous generation of hydrous ferric oxide (FeOOH) sol and silica sol in situ in one reactor. This eventually led to the formation of Fe–Si complexes. The addition of silica enhanced the granulated adsorbent strength but reduced the arsenic adsorption capacity. An optimum Si/Fe molar ratio in the balance of adsorbent strength and arsenic adsorption capacity was found to be approximately 0.33. The effects of aging time, drying temperature and process pH on adsorbents were also evaluated in the study. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the iron(III) oxide in the Fe–Si binary oxide adsorbents was amorphous, largely due to the retardation of the iron oxide crystallization by the presence of silicate species. The surface area of the Fe–Si adsorbents and the particle size of Fe–Si complexed suspensions were determined as well. The batch strength testing procedure introduced in this study can provide a simple and quick evaluation of granulate strength in a wet status. Generally, this developed method can prepare granulated Fe–Si binary oxide adsorbents for column adsorption of arsenic from water.