Biofabricated copper ferrite nanoparticles: a potential nanosorbent for the removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous media

Abstract

Abstract In the present study, we describe a facile strategy for the easy removal of the heavy metal ion, Pb (II) using biosynthesized copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) Nanoparticles (Nps) prepared via a cost-effective and eco-friendly method using Pimenta dioica leaf extract. The structural characterization was performed using UV–Visible, FT-IR, XRD, XPS, TG, SEM - EDS and TEM techniques. Various characterization techniques showed that the biosynthesized CuFe2O4 nanoparticles have spherical shape with minimum aggregation and possess a size range between 7 and 16 nm. Batch experiments were carried out to analyze the adsorption efficiency of CuFe2O4 Nps by varying different experimental conditions such as pH, adsorbent dose and initial metal ion concentration. From the atomic absorption spectroscopy results, the optimum removal efficiency (99.69%) occurred at a contact time of 90 min in the solution having pH 6 with 0.06 g of nanoadsorbent. The experimental data were analyzed using adsorption isotherm and fitted with kinetic models. In the present study, we report the the highest removal efficiency of 99.69% for Pb (II) ions with minimum experimental parameters which is greater than other similar reported studies. The novel CuFe2O4 nanosorbent synthesized in the present study is highly effective in eliminating toxic pollutants. They also possess outstanding recycling characteristics for the effective removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous media.This cost-effective and ecofriendly strategy could be utilized for addressing the emerging water contamination.