Synthesis of iron nanoparticles and evaluation of their operation in phenol and 2-chlorophenol removal from aqueous solution

Phenol and chlorophenol are among the serious pollutants in industrial effluents. These pollutants in drinking water have a medicinal taste and are quite pronounced and objectionable. The aim of this research was investigation the feasibility potential of nano particle zero valent iron for phenol and chlorophenol removal from aqueous solutions. nZVI was synthesized by reduction of ferric chloride by sodium borohydrid. Finally, the chemical and physical characterization of sorbents carried out with SEM analysis. The Batch experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of pH, chlorophenol and phenol concentration, sorbent dosage, contact time and temperature. Then for experiments the central composite design (CCD) was applied to appraisal the effect of these variables. Results showed that the adequate initial concentration for phenol removal, pH, contact time, and dosage of nZVI were at 5 mg/L, 2, 54.75 min, and 1.40 g, respectively. Also results showed that the adequate initial concentration for chlorophenol removal, pH, contact time, and dosage of nZVI were at 5 mg/L, 4, 70 min and, 1.33g, respectively. According to the results of this study and high resistance in degradation by biological processes, iron nano particles can be used for phenol removal and its compound. Also, the results of the CCD showed that the fundamental parameters resulted from pH and phenol concentration having an intense effect on the efficiency.