Separation of Arsenic from Aqueous Solutions by Amino-Functionalized γ-Fe2O3-β-Zeolite

In this research, gamma-Fe2O3-beta-zeolite nanocomposite was synthesized and functionalized by 3-amino propyl trimethoxysilane. The magnetic functionalized adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, scattering electron microscopy, and N-2 adsorption-desorption techniques. The adsorbent was then used for adsorption of arsenic from aqueous solutions. At optimized conditions the adsorption capacity of 30 mg.g(-1) was obtained, which was higher than the previously reported values. The loaded adsorbent was easily separated from the solution by applying an external magnetic field. Regeneration of the adsorbent by NaOH solution indicated that 97% of the initial capacity was remained after four adsorption-regeneration cycles.