Flower-Like α-Fe2O3 for Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater

Abstract

In the present work flower-like, α-Fe2O3 were synthesized by ethylene-glycol mediated polyol method. The synthesized flower-like, α-Fe2O3 were separated cadmium (Cd2+) chromium (Cr6+) and lead ions (Pb2+) from wastewater. XRD pattern and FESEM images show the obtained sample is pure hematite and flower-like nanostructures average particle sizes 4.0 μm. The BET specific surface area was 47.55 m2g−1. Adsorption experiments were investigated the adsorbent dose, influence pH of the metal ions, sorption times and initial concentrations of heavy metal ions. High efficiency of Cd2+, Cr6+ and Pb2+ removal occurred at pH 7.0, 3.0 and 5.5, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium study showed that the heavy metal ions adsorption of flowers like α-Fe2O3 followed a Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model. The heavy metal ions adsorption equilibrium data were followed to the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 16.95, 22.22 and 25.64 mg g−1 for Cd2+, Cr6+ and Pb2+ ions respectively. This work determines that the synthesized flower-like α-Fe2O3 is proposed as an efficient nano-adsorbent for wastewater treatment.