Magnetic Adsorbent Based on Faujasite Zeolite Decorated with Magnesium Ferrite Nanoparticles for Metal Ion Removal

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles are a promising alternative as a support in adsorption processes, aiming at the easy recovery of the aqueous medium. A faujasite zeolite (FAU) surface was decorated with magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) nanoparticles. FAU is a porous adsorbent with high specific surface area (SSA) and chemical stability. The FAU:MgFe2O4 nanocomposite 3:1 ratio (w w−1) promotes the combination of the surface and magnetic properties. The results showed the effectiveness of the MgFe2O4 immobilization on the FAU surface, exhibiting a high SSA of 400 m2 g−1. The saturation magnetization (Ms) was verified as 5.9 emu g−1 for MgFe2O4 and 0.47 emu g−1 for FAU:MgFe2O4, an environmentally friendly system with soft magnetic characteristics. The magnetic nanocomposite achieved high adsorption values of around 94% removal for Co2+ and Mn2+ ions. Regarding its reuse, the nanocomposite preserved adsorption activity of above 65% until the third cycle. Thus, the FAU:MgFe2O4 nanocomposite presented favorable adsorptive, magnetic, and recovery properties for reuse cycles in polluted water.