Iron Oxide (Fe3O4)-Supported SiO2 Magnetic Nanocomposites for Efficient Adsorption of Fluoride from Drinking Water: Synthesis, Characterization, and Adsorption Isotherm Analysis

This research work reports the magnetic adsorption of fluoride from drinking water through silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Chemical precipitation and wet impregnation methods were employed to synthesize the magnetic nanomaterials. Moreover, the synthesized nanomaterials were characterized for physicochemical properties through scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. Screening studies were conducted to select the best iron oxide loading (0.0-1.5 wt%) and calcination temperature (300-500 degrees C). The best selected nanomaterial (0.5Fe-Si-500) showed a homogenous FeO distribution with a 23.79 nm crystallite size. Moreover, the optimized reaction parameters were: 10 min of contact time, 0.03 g L--(1) adsorbent dose, and 10 mg L-1 fluoride (F-) concentration. Adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Q(m) and K-F (the maximum adsorption capacities) values were 5.5991 mg g(-1) and 1.869 L g(-)(1) respectively. Furthermore, accelerated adsorption with shorter contact times and high adsorption capacity at working pH was among the outcomes of this research work.

Automated summary

This research work successfully reported the magnetic adsorption of fluoride from drinking water using silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles, characterized and optimized for higher efficiency.