Manganese based magnetic nanoparticles for heavy metal detection and environmental remediation

The presence of environmental toxins, heavy metals and organic pollutants is a serious environmental issue that has continued to attract much attention from the public as well as the scientific community. In this work we use manganese based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) synthesized using a micro-emulsion method and then coated with gold for heavy metal capture and detection. The MNPs were characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Cysteine immobilization onto the gold coated magnetic nano-particles was monitored using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Lead chelation to cysteine on MNPs was monitored using square wave voltammetry. Square wave voltammetry for gold coated MNPs with immobilized cysteine and with chelated lead showed higher current. These MNPs were found to be efficient nano-sorbents for the potential removal of heavy metals from wastewater due to the large surface area.