Design of Scorodite@Fe3O4 Core–Shell Materials and the Fe3O4 Shell Prevents Leaching of Arsenic from Scorodite in Neutral and Alkaline Environments

Abstract

In recent years, arsenic pollution has seriously harmed human health. Arsenic-containing waste should be treated to render it harmless and immobilized to form a stable, solid material. Scorodite (iron arsenate) is recognized as the best solid arsenic material in the world. It has the advantages of high arsenic content, good stability, and a low iron/arsenic molar ratio. However, scorodite can decompose and release arsenic in a neutral and alkaline environment. Ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4) is a common iron oxide that is insoluble in acid and alkali solutions. Coating a Fe3O4 shell that is acid- and alkali-resistant on the surface of scorodite crystals will improve the stability of the material. In this study, a scorodite@Fe3O4 core–shell structure material was synthesized. The synthesized core–shell material was detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques, and the composition and structure were confirmed. The synthesis condition and forming process were analyzed. Long-term leaching tests were conducted to evaluate the stability of the synthesized scorodite@Fe3O4. The results indicate that the scorodite@Fe3O4 had excellent stability after 20 days of exposure to neutral and weakly alkaline solutions. The inert Fe3O4 shell could prevent the scorodite core from corrosion by the external solution. The scorodite@Fe3O4 core–shell structure material was suitable for the immobilization of arsenic and has potential application prospects for the treatment of arsenic-containing waste.