Removal of Arsenic(III) from Water with Clay-Supported Zerovalent Iron Nanoparticles Synthesized with the Help of Tea Liquor

Because traditional synthesis methods pose great hazards for the environment, there is a need to develop biomimetic processes for the treatment of industrial effluents and contaminated water in which the use of plant parts is an important alternative. Zerovalent iron nanoparticles having an average size of 59.08 +/- 7.81 nm were prepared by mixing ferric nitrate with liquor of commercially available tea. Stirring of contaminated water with zerovalent iron nanoparticles supported on montmorillonite K10 for 30 min resulted in up to 99% removal of arsenic as As(III) from its solution at both high and low pH. It was also observed that, under similar conditions, montmorillonite K10 alone provided only <10% removal of As(III) from water. Adsorption at low pH with precipitation at higher pH has been proposed for As(III) removal. IR, XRD, SEM, and surface area studies were performed to confirm the reported results.