Removal of arsenic(V) by magnetic nanoparticle activated microfibrillated cellulose

In this study a novel adsorbent, magnetic iron nanoparticles modified microfibrillated cellulose (FeNP/MFC), was used for arsenate (As(V)) removal from aqueous solutions. The modified cellulose was characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, zeta potential analyzer, SEM, and TEM. In order to demonstrate the adsorption performance of synthesized material, the effects of contact time, pH, initial As(V) concentration, and regeneration were investigated. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Sips adsorption models, and the model parameters were evaluated. The monolayer adsorption capacity of the adsorbent, as obtained from the Langmuir isotherm, is 2.460 mmol/g. The adsorption process could be described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Iron nanoparticle modified MFC was found to be an exceptional adsorbent material due to its magnetic properties, high surface area and a good adsorption capacity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.