Iron oxide/hydroxide (α,γ-FeOOH) nanoparticles as high potential adsorbents for lead removal from polluted aquatic media

Needle-like lepidocrocite nanoparticles with a diarheter of 10-30 nm and a length of 100-300 nm and goethite nanospheres with a diameter of 10-60 nm were synthesized and examined as adsorbents for lead removal from solutions. FTIR, SEM and DLS characterized the nanomaterials. The most influential factor in the batch adsorption experiments by nanoparticles for capacity and removal efficiency was adsorbent dose and type of adsorbent, respectively. The optimum condition for lead removal by nanoparticles was found to be: C-0 = 5 mg/L, pH = 5.2 and goethite as the more efficient adsorbent. Langmuir and Sips isotherms successfully described the adsorption of lead ions. (C) 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.