Removal Efficiency of Electrochemical Process by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Impregnated on Rod Carbon for Arsenite Anions in a High Ionic Strength Solution

The entry of heavy metals (e.g., arsenite anions) into water sources due to industrial and mining activities is considered a serious problem for the environment. Therefore, arsenite removal from polluted water has attracted the attention of researchers due to its toxic effects on human health. In the present study, the efficiency of the electrochemical (EC) purification of arsenite anions in a high ionic strength solution was investigated using a carbon electrode impregnated with iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method and immediately impregnated on the carbon rod. Experiments were performed by two electrodes (carbon and carbon impregnated with NP electrode) in a 50 mL EC reactor. The effect of different parameters such as electrical current (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 A), EC time (2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes), pH (3, 5, 7, 9 and 11), and the initial concentrations of arsenite anion (2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/L) was investigated on the removal efficiency to achieve the highest removal of arsenite anions. Arsenite anions (10 mg/L) were completely removed from the aqueous solution with an ionic strength of 0.141 M at an electrical current of 0.7 A, a pH of 8, and an EC time of 20 minutes. In addition, pH was the most effective parameter in removing arsenite anions from aqueous solution in the EC method. According to the results, EC treatment using an electrode impregnated with iron oxide NPs is highly efficient in removing arsenite anions from the contaminated water.