Removal of Mercury (II) from Wastewater by Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

Khayyat Sarkar, Z.; Khayyat Sarkar, V.

Removal of Mercury (II) from Wastewater by Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Z. Khayyat Sarkar

V. Khayyat Sarkar

Kimiya Pajooh Afagh-e- Kavir Research & Technology Company, Yazd, Iran.

Abstract

The presented study investigates application of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as an magnetic nanoadsorbent for magnetic solid-phase extraction (SPE) and the selective removal of toxic heavy metals such as mercury (II) from aqueous solutions and their determination using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). The Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized using co-precipitation and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating-sample magnetometer(VSM). The influences of analytical parameters including pH andeluent type, concentration and volume have been studied and optimized. The optimum pH required for maximum adsorption was found to be 6 for mercury. SEM images showed that the particle- size was about 24 nm and no marked aggregation occurred. XRD indicated the sole existence of inverse cubic spinel phase of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles. VSM patterns indicate superparamagnetic of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles. The results obtained from the recovery test showed the capability and reliability of the method for the removing mercury (II) from wastewater.

Keywords

Hg(II)

Polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) coated Fe3O4 Magnetic nanoparticles

co-precipitation

Wastewater