ASMA M TATAGAR, JAVED I. MOODI, S.D. LAMANI AND M.A. PHANIBAND
Abstract
World today is facing the heat of scarcity of water resources. The adversity of climatic condition and pile up of pollutants into water resources is alarming. Industrial discharge accounts to huge degradation of water quality due to mismanagement of hazardous materials. Avenues to provide safe drinking water are our primary need to protect life on earth. This very condition triggers the need of effective and affordable treatment of wastewater as a major prerequisite for growing economy. Nano-technological approach towards remediation of waste water has been attracting the attention of the scientists in global arena. It offers the possibility of an efficient removal of water pollutants including heavy metals, organic dyes, etc. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (IONpâs) are very promising class of nanomaterials used in water decontamination particularly for heavy metals and dyestuffs because of their ease of separation, high surface area, unique morphology as well as high stability. These materials can be used as adsorbent and flocculating agents for water remediation. The present study aims at synthesis of IONpâs and effective removal of Methylene blue dye (MB) and Cadmium(II) ions from aqueous solution as a pilot study with respect to the potential application of IONpâs for wastewater treatment and purification. Adsorption of MB and Cd (II) ions appear to be an effective technique for its removal from aqueous solution. In this study, IONpâs were synthesized by wet chemical reduction method and were used as a potent adsorbent for removal of MB and Cd (II) ions from contaminated solution. Effect of various parameters such as contact time, pH and adsorbent dosage was determined on the removal efficiency of Cd (II) and MB was studied. The maximum removal of cadmium ions (87 %) occurred at pH of 4 and adsorbent dose of 0.4 g/100 mL. The maximum removal of organic dye (85%) occurred at pH of 8 and adsorbent dose of 0.4 g/100 mL.