Removal of Chromium(VI) Using Surface Modified Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

This study describes the removal of Chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions using surface tailored superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) coated with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid (Cyanex-301). The synthesized Cyanex-301 coated SPION has been characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier-Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Photonic Spectroscopy (XPS), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The adsorption mechanism was proposed to be via complexation between the thiol group on Cyanex-301 and Cr(VI) ions based on the XPS and FTIR analysis. It has been found that the equilibrium can be attained in less than 2hr. The adsorption behavior of Cr(VI) on the Cyanex-301 coated SPION can be well described by the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) was estimated to be 30.8mg/g. The selectivity of the Cyanex-301 coated SPION adsorbent towards Cr(VI) ions was found to be high and the maximum loading capacity obtained is up to an order of magnitude higher than that of other adsorbents reported in the literature. The desorption studies showed that more than 70% of Cr(VI) can be recovered using HNO3 as eluting solution. Our findings suggest a high potential of the designed adsorbent material for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing Cr(VI).