Synthesis of a Novel CuFe2O4@Schiff Base Magnetic Nanocomposite for the Removal of Cu(II) from Water Samples

Traditional techniques for adding chelating agents to solids take time, energy, and materials. This study focuses on the preparation of a quick and easy solid-phase extraction approach using microwave-enforced green synthesis. CuFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (CFO-NPs) were modified chemically by bis(salicylaldehyde) phenylenediamine (BSAPhD) investigated for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The modification conditions (power and time) of the process are optimized. The performance of the resulting magnetic composite nanoparticles (BSAPhD@CFO-NPs) was compared with that of those prepared using a conventional reflux method (BSAPhD/reflux@CFO). BSAPhD@CFO-NPs was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All the data confirmed the success of the preparation of BSAPhD and modification for CFO with BSAPhD via microwave synthesis. The experimental adsorption conditions: pH, contact time, adsorbent mass, and Cu(II) concentration were also optimized. BSAPhD@CFO-NPs has an adsorption capacity of 429.8 mg-Cu(II) g–1, which is more than that of BSAPhD/reflux@CFO (287 mg g-1) at pH = 8 with 15 min contact time. The Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherms are used to describe adsorption equilibrium. It was found that the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.9988) best fits Cu(II) adsorption on the BSAPhD@CFO-NPs adsorbent surface. The application of the BSAPhD@CFO-NPs adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) from various water samples was performed. The results showed good recovery with high sensitivity.