Removal of Cr(VI) Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles: Kinetic and Equilibrium Study

Background & Aims of the Study: Heavy metals are the most important and mainpollutants because of their accumulation and high toxicity even at very low dose and causeserious hazards to ecological system as well as human health. Thus, their removal has beenchallenged from drinking water and industrial waters with different technologies. Thepurpose of this work is to investigate the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.Materials & Methods: NiFe2O4 nanoparticles was prepared by the co-precipitation methodand then applied for adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from water. Characterization ofnanoparticles was carried out via TEM, EDX, XRD and BET analysis. Various physicochemicalparameters like the effect of contact time, pH and adsorbent dose were studied,using batch process to optimize conditions for maximum adsorption.Results: The results demonstrated that the size of the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles was about 12nm and had selectivity for Cr(VI) adsorption. Also, adsorption process was found to be fastwith equilibrium time of 55 min. Optimum pH was found to be 3. Maximum adsorptioncapacity (qm) as calculated from Langmuir isotherm was found to be 294.1 mg g-1. Analysisof adsorption kinetics indicated better applicability of pseudo-second-order kinetic model.Conclusions: The results of this study represented that the synthesized NiFe2O4nanoparticles could be useful for the simultaneous removal of anionic ions fromwastewaters.

Keywords:

NanoparticlesAdsorptionIsothermChromiumNickel FerriteIran