Sequestration of heavy metals from contaminated water using magnetic carbon nanocomposites

Abstract

Heavy metals are toxic to flora, fauna and human beings. This study focused on removing toxic metals from an aqueous medium using magnetic carbon (Fe3O4@Carbon) nanocomposites. The biogenic green synthesis approach was used to fabricate the magnetic nanocomposite using low-cost poplar sawdust powder. The characterization of the nanocomposites was done using FESEM, TEM BET and FTIR. The sequestration of Pb (II), Cu (II) and Cr (VI) from water by Fe3O4@Carbon nanocomposites were studied under batch mode. The adsorption capacities for Pb (II), Cu (II) and Cr (VI) were 151.5, 48.08, and leaves49.29 mg/g respectively. The removal of metals by magnetic composites was studied in a mono, binary and tertiary network of metal ions. Adsorption isotherms studies indicated the chemosorption of Cu (II) and Cr (VI) onto the surface of nanocomposites. The thermodynamic analysis revealed that removal of studied metals ions is spontaneous and feasible. In this study, the effectiveness of magnetic nanocomposites is also explored for the removal of other heavy metals from tap water and simulated water sample. The heavy metal removal efficiency of the nanocomposites was not affected up to thrice reuse of adsorbent. � 2022