Development of a Platform for Removal of Iron (III) Ions from Aqueous Solution Using CuO Nanoparticles

Abstract

The present study aimed to synthesize copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs), which were used as an adsorbent for the sequestration of Iron (Fe) (III) ion from aqueous solution. The synthesized NPs were characterized with the help of X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The SEM and XRD analyses indicated the average size of CuO NPs were ~25 nm with a rod-like shape. Based on the batch experiments the maximum adsorption observed at pH 9 with removal efficiency 98.38%, initial metal ion concentration of 10 ppm, and contact time 60 min. This study also revealed that adsorption capacity increases when the concentration of adsorbents decreases. To specify the adsorption characteristics of CuO NPs, the adsorption equilibrium data were treated with Langmuir and Freundlich models, which demonstrated that the removal of Fe (III) ions was mostly favored by the physical process followed by the multilayer adsorption on the heterogeneous surface of the adsorbents. Finally, this study concludes that CuO NPs could be used as a promising material for the removal of Fe(III) ion from aqueous Solution.

Keywords

• heavy metals
• wastewater
• adsorption
• nanoparticles