Superparamagnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Applicable in the Removal of Cd2+

Iron-based magnetic nanoparticles, such as magnetite (Fe3O4), have unique features, such aslarge surface area-volume ratio and diminished consumption of chemicals, reached withoutany secondary pollutant [1]. Fe3O4 nanoparticles with particle size less than 40 nmshows superparamagneticbehavior. Superparamagnetism is a magnetic behavior which appears insmall ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic nanoparticles when their particle size is smaller than asingle domain and they have no magnetic memory [2,3]. In this study, we present synthesis ofa new metal organic complex formulated as [Fe(bpy)3][Fe(dipic)2]2•7H2O (1) (Fig. 1), andpreparation of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of this complexat 600ºC. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were utilized for removal of Cd2+ from water. The resultsshowed that Fe3O4 can act as an effective and recyclable adsorbent capable to remove Cd2+from contaminated water.The adsorption of cadmium on the surface of the nanoparticles ofFe3O4 reaches equilibrium after 120 min at pH 6.