Biogenic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Based on Algal Biofilm Formed in the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Their Dye Removal Performance

Abstract

In the field of environmental pollution removal, bioremediation plays a crucial role in removing or converting toxic substances from the environment. Bacteria, yeasts, molds, algae, and plants are widely used in bioremediation events. Recently, green-synthesized nanoparticles have also been employed in bioremediation applications. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) were synthesized from algal biofilms that are naturally formed in the settling ponds of the Gümüşhane Municipality Wastewater Treatment Plant. These biological nanoparticles were utilized to investigate their adsorption efficiency for water-polluting dyes such as methylene blue (MB), malachite green (MG), and phenol red (PR). The synthesized FeONPs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). To test their efficacy, MB, MG, and PR dye solutions were treated with 5.0, 10.0, and 20 g/L FeONP concentrations. The remaining dye concentrations were quantified with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer after filtration. The results showed that FeONPs obtained from algal biofilms effectively removed MB, MG, and PR, with the highest efficiency observed for PR.