Chromium adsorption studies on synthesized magnetite activated carbon nanocomposites
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Date
2017
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
Adsorptive properties of synthesized magnetite activated carbon nanocomposites are
investigated for the facile removal of Cr (VI) ions from water. Fe3O4 NPs and its
nanocomposites with activated carbon were characterized by X-ray diffractiion pattern
(XRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Transmission electron
microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer Emmet Teller (BET)
surface area analysis as analytical tools. TEM images revealed the agglomerated spherical
morphology of Fe3O4NPs and nanocomposites. A comparative analysis of the Fe3O4 NPs,
nanocomposites and activated carbon for the removal of Cr (VI) ions from water was carried
out by batch method and Cr (VI) content was estimated spectrophotometrically. The effect of
operating parameters including adsorbent dose, temperature, contact time, pH and initial
metal ion concentration of Cr (VI) were studied. Optimum pH for adsorption was 2. Values of
∆Go, ∆H˚ and ∆S˚ were found to be negative for all adsorbents, indicating exothermic and
spontaneous nature of adsorption process The trend for the Cr (VI) ions percentage removal in
the ascending order was Fe3O4 NPs<nanocomposites <activated carbon. Among the
nanocomposites, The Cr (VI) removal capacity increased with increase in activated carbon
content. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms fitted the data better than D-R isotherms. The
advantage of nanocomposites is enhancement of adsorption potential due to presence of Fe3O4
NPs along with activated carbon and their magnetic separation after adsorption
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