Ethylbenzene Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Nano Magnetic Particles

Background & Aims of the Study: Ethylbenzene (EB) is a dangerously organic compound, which the presence of this pollutant in water solutions can be considered as an environmental and public health hazard. In this study, nano magnetic particles (Fe3O4) were used as an adsorbent to remove ethylbenzene from aqueous solutions.
The specification of the adsorbent was investigated by transmission electronic microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. A 4×4 factorial design including initial concentration of ethylbenzene, nano magnetic particles dose, contact time and pH were studied.
The results showed that the maximum ethylbenzene removal by nano magnetic particles was achieved in the following conditions; 100 mg.L-1, 2000 mg.L-1, 20 minutes and 8, in initial concentration, nano magnetic concentration, contact time and pH respectively. The most amounts of ethylbenzene adsorption and distribution ratio in optimum condition was 49.9 mg.g-1 and 261.9 l.g-1 respectively. The results demonstrated that the removal rate of ethylbenzene was higher in batch (99.8 %) rather than continuous (97.4%) condition.
The removal rate of ethylbenzene was higher in batch rather than continuous condition. The study of isotherm showed that adsorption data follow up linear isotherm. Comparing adsorption rate of NM particles and other adsorbents proved that Fe3O4, as a material with high capacity of adsorption can apply for removing ethylbenzene as an efficient and also cheap adsorbent.