Magnetic Adsorbent Based on Faujasite Zeolite Decorated with Magnesium Ferrite Nanoparticles for Metal Ion Removal

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles are a promising alternative as a support in adsorption processes, aiming at the easy recovery of the aqueous medium. A faujasite zeolite (FAU) surface was decorated with magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) nanoparticles. FAU is a porous adsorbent with high specific surface area (SSA) and chemical stability. The FAU:MgFe2O4 nanocomposite 3:1 ratio (w w−1) promotes the combination of the surface and magnetic properties. The results showed the effectiveness of the MgFe2O4 immobilization on the FAU surface, exhibiting a high SSA of 400 m2 g−1. The saturation magnetization (Ms) was verified as 5.9 emu g−1 for MgFe2O4 and 0.47 emu g−1 for FAU:MgFe2O4, an environmentally friendly system with soft magnetic characteristics. The magnetic nanocomposite achieved high adsorption values of around 94% removal for Co2+ and Mn2+ ions. Regarding its reuse, the nanocomposite preserved adsorption activity of above 65% until the third cycle. Thus, the FAU:MgFe2O4 nanocomposite presented favorable adsorptive, magnetic, and recovery properties for reuse cycles in polluted water.

ZnFe2O4/Zeolite Nanocomposites for Sorption Extraction of Cu2+ from Aqueous Medium

“…Figure 12 clearly testifies the ability of zinc ferrite samples, as well as the Zt-16F composite sorbent, for magnetic separation from the equilibrium solution under the action of external magnetic field from the Nd magnet. Compared to natural zeolite and other materials possessing no such activity, the acquisition of magnetic properties by the ZnFe2O4/zeolite composite, owing to the zinc ferrite component, is an undoubted advantage [7,91].…”

“…For the samples of composites, magnetization values were significantly lower than for the F sample, nevertheless, tending to increase with the rising of the content of the zinc ferrite phase in the composite, and, as a result, imparting the samples of composites Zt-8F and Zt-16F the ability for magnetic separation by an external magnetic field.The magnetic activity of the samples significantly facilitates separation of the spent sorbent for subsequent regeneration and reuse, and preventing its Figure 12 clearly testifies the ability of zinc ferrite samples, as well as the Zt-16F composite sorbent, for magnetic separation from the equilibrium solution under the action of external magnetic field from the Nd magnet. Compared to natural zeolite and other materials possessing no such activity, the acquisition of magnetic properties by the ZnFe 2 O 4 /zeolite composite, owing to the zinc ferrite component, is an undoubted advantage [7,91].…”