Application of Electrochemically Synthesized Magnetite, Hematite, Iron Nanocomposite as a New Sorbent For The Removal of Lead Ions From Water

Water pollution by heavy metal ions such as Pb occur globally. The conventional methods for the heavy metal ions removal from the water include electrochemical and chemical precipitations, ion exchange, reverse osmosis and sorption. Among the above mentioned different methods, sorption of heavy metal ions on the surface of solid nanomaterials is one of the most recommended and interest methods. Sorption is attractive due to its merits of efficiency, cheap and simple operation. In this study, hematite/magnetite/iron nanocomposite (MHINC) is synthesized by the low voltage electrical arc method in the presence of 1.2 Tesla external magnetic fields. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show that the synthesized MHINC includes uniform nanoparticles with 7 nm average diameters. The prepared MHINC is used as a new sorbent to remove heavy metal ions from polluted waters. Experimental data shows that the sorption of lead ions on the surface of MHINC is acceptably fitted to the Langmuir isotherm. Based on the experimental data, a maximum sorption capacity of 86 mg g-1 is achieved for the sorption of lead ions on the surface of MHINC. The experimental optimum conditions for the lead ion removal includes pH=5, 25 ml sample volume, 25 mg sorbet and 25 min mixing time in the room temperature. Desorption studies showed the adsorbed lead ions on MHINC surface can be done by using 1ml acidic solution containing 3 M HCl and 2 M HNO3.