Application of phytogenic zerovalent iron nanoparticles in the adsorption of hexavalent chromium

Zerovalent iron nanoparticles (ZVNI) were synthesized using a rapid, single step and completely green synthetic method from the leaf extracts of Eucalyptus globules and were characterized using the techniques Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Zeta potential measurement. The FT-IR analysis reveals that the polyphenolic compounds present in the leaf extract may be responsible for the reduction and stabilization of the ZVNI. These nanoparticles were utilized for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) and the concentration of Cr (VI) was determined using UV-Vis spectrometer after treating with ZVNI. Response and surface contour plots were drawn with the help of Mini-tab software to explain the adsorption of Cr (VI). The adsorption efficiency of Cr (VI) reaches to the highest value (98.1%) when the reaction time was about 30 min. and the ZVNI dosage was 0.8 g/L. The effective parameters such as adsorbent (ZVNI) dosage, initial Cr (VI) concentration and the kinetics were also examined. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.