Removal of Lead(II), Cadmium(II), and Arsenic(III) from Aqueous Solution Using Magnetite Nanoparticles Prepared by Green Synthesis with Box–Behnken Design

Abstract

Two types of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were investigated as adsorbents for the simultaneous removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(III) metal ions from aqueous solution. Magnetite nanoparticles were prepared by two synthesis procedures, both using water as solvent, and are referred to as conventional Fe3O4 nanoparticles and green Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The latter used Citrus limon (lemon) aqueous peel extract as the surfactant. Box–Behnken experimental design was used to investigate the effects of parameters such as initial concentration (20–150 mg L−1), pH (2–9), and biomass dosage (1–5 g L−1) on the removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(III) ions. The optimum parameters for removal of the studied metal ions from aqueous solutions, including the initial ion concentration (20 mg L−1), pH (5.5) and adsorbent dose (5 g L−1), were determined. The pseudosecond-order model exhibited the best fit for the kinetic studies, while adsorption equilibrium isotherms were best described by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The optimum conditions were applied for the treatment wastewater. The removal efficiencies of Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(III) using the conventional and green synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles were 59.4 ± 4.3, 18.7 ± 1.9 and 17.5 ± 1.6, and 98.8 ± 5.6, 46.0 ± 1.3, and 48.2 ± 2.6%, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential of magnetite nanoparticles synthesized using C. limon peel extract as highly efficient adsorbents for the removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(III) ions from aqueous solution.