Core-shell Nanoparticles Functionalized with Polyvinyl Alcohol Molecules: Effective Magnetic Nanoadsorbent for Removing Zn2+ Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Process Research Department, Niroo Research Institute (NRI), Tehran, Iran

2 Chemical and Process Engineering Department, Niroo Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/ijche.2024.433533.1385

Abstract

In the present study, magnetite nanoparticles are synthesized using the co-precipitation method and sequentially these nanoparticles are converted into Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic core-shell particles with a silica layer and Stöber method. Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles are functionalized using cyanuric chloride and polyvinyl alcohol molecules and they are used as an effective adsorbent to remove Zn2+ from 75 ml of solution with initial concentration of 0.55 mmol. The structural features, size and morphology of nanoadsorbers in different stages of functionalization of magnetite nanoparticles are investigated using X-ray diffraction, X-ray energy diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, thermal gravimetric analysis, Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Afterwards, the effect of pH, adsorbent dosage and adsorbent contact time are evaluated on the absorption performance. In the optimum condition, the adsorption capacity of 92% is achieved in a period of 27 minutes, pH of 7 and using 28 mg of adsorbent. Moreover, the synthetic adsorbent indicates the ability to be recycled and reused in successive cycles of the absorption-desorption process for 8 times without a noticeable decrease in activity and absorption capacity.

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