Application of Zno-Fe3O4nano Composite on the Phosphate Removal from Aqueous Solutions: Optimization and Statistical Modeling

Abstract

Removal of nutrient salts from the receiving water is an important consideration to control eutrophication.Among various nano sized materials, ZnO and Fe 3 O 4 have much attention because ZnO nanoparticles exhibit efficient photocatalytic removal efficiency through adsorption and decomposition of organic contaminants. In this study, commercial magnetite was immobilized with ZnO by chemical wet method and it was used as an adsorbent to remove phosphate from aqueous solution. The phosphate adsorption can be well modeled by the Response Surface Methodology. The removal efficiency of phosphate was optimized as the function of adsorbent dosage, pH, initial phosphate concentration, and contact time, using Response Surface methodology.