Synthesis of magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles decorated with polyvinyl alcohol for heavy metal ion removal from aqueous solution

Abstract

Abstract This work describes Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles functionalized with polyvinyl alcohol and its application for the removal of Cu(П) and Cd(П) ions by analytical methods under diverse experimental parameters. Surface chemistry and morphology during functionalization of Fe3O4@SiO2 NPs were monitored using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), vibration sample magnetometer (VSM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS). The performance of the polyvinyl alcohol modified magnetic nanoparticles for metal ions removal was evaluated by changing five process variables: contact time of adsorbent, temperature, pH, adsorbent dosage and the selective removal. The adsorption isotherm studies of the novel adsorbent in removing heavy metals from wastewater showed that the maximum absorption amounts of Cu(П) and Cd(П) were 1.57 and 0.99 mmol/g at 35 oC. According to the results, the prepared composites possess excellent adsorption efficiency to be applied for the preconcentration of heavy metal ions in the field of water treatment. The Fe3O4@SiO2-TCT-PVA adsorbent is completely separated from the aqueous solution under external magnetic field for five consecutive cycles without significant loss of activity.