Research Article - (2018) Volume 8, Issue 2

Preparation and Application of Magnetic Materials for the Removal of As (III) from Aqueous Solutions

Mini Namdeo* and Ankita Mathur
Centre of Excellence-Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
*Corresponding Author: Mini Namdeo, Centre of Excellence-Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India, Tel: +917060214491 Email:

Received Date: Oct 17, 2018 / Accepted Date: Oct 24, 2018 / Published Date: Oct 05, 2018

Abstract

Higher environmental standards have made for the removal of arsenic from water, an important problem for environmental engineering. Iron oxide is a particularly interesting sorbent to consider for this application. Its magnetic properties allow relatively routine dispersal and recovery of the adsorbent into and from groundwater or industrial processing facilities; in addition, iron oxide has strong and specific interactions with both As (III) and As(V). Finally, this material can be produced with nanoscale dimensions, which enhance both its capacity and removal. The present study focuses on iron-oxide based complexes that were found to adsorb arsenic from water. Their composition, morphology, magnetic behaviour and potential were studied by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Zeta potential and Vibrating Sampling Magnetometer (VSM). Arsenic concentrations were recorded by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Finally, the particles were also investigated for their antimicrobial properties that can be used against gram positive and gram-negative bacteria. The study suggests that among various iron oxide sorbents magnetite chitosan beads provides a low cost, fast and effective method for removal of arsenic from potable water, and thus making it suitable for drinking purpose.

Keywords: Magnetite; Chitosan; Arsenic; Adsorption; Antibacterial activity

Introduction

The removal of toxic and polluting heavy metal ions from industrial effluents, water supplies and mine waters has received much attention in recent years. Arsenic (As)-contaminated drinking water is a major problem around the world. Countries such as Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Hungary, Romania, and the United States face significant challenges in meeting the newly lowered standards for Arsenic in drinking water [1]. Several methods of As removal are already available including precipitation, adsorption, ion exchange, solvent extraction, nanofiltration, foam flotation, and biological sequestration [2]. Adsorption is a low cost, efficient and easy method to remove effluents from water [3]. It is simple, environmental- friendly, requires less skill and can treat water of high quality [4]. Various adsorbents have been used so far for removal of arsenic, including zirconium oxide [5], manganese oxide [6], titanium oxide [7], orange juice [8], human hairs [9] etc. Nanoscale nickel/ nickel borides were also effective adsorbents for mitigating arsenic from drinking water [10]. Various low-cost adsorbents have been synthesized like bagasse fly ash (BFA), by-product of sugarcane industry; it can remove up to 95% arsenite and arsenate ions from water by column and batch modes [11]. Similarly, a biochar was prepared by pyrolysing hematite and pinewood biomass and was found effective in removing arsenic [12]. Many papers have been published demonstrating that bulk iron oxides have a high affinity for the adsorption of arsenite and arsenate [13,14]. As (III) can form inner sphere monodentate or bidentate-binuclear complexes with iron oxides. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy has provided direct evidence for inner sphere adsorption of arsenite and arsenate on iron oxides [15-17]. Chitosan as a natural polysaccharide derived from renewable sources is one of the most studied biopolymers with significant potential for different applications including medical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications because of its good biocompatibility, biodegradability and low toxicity [18]. The appropriate involving of magnetic material in chitosan-based materials would enlarge the areas of its possible application, e.g., for fast and easy separation of microorganisms, as magnetic drug-targeting carriers, contrast enhancement agents in magnetic resonance imaging, etc. That is why chitosan has recently attracted increasing interest as carrier in magneto-sensitive materials. (one pot mag bead) Usually the potable water is free from the pathogenic organisms, however, in the public potable water systems presence of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites is possible. Therefore, using copper and chitosan may also help in fighting the pathogenic organisms in the potable water [19,20].

In present work, we demonstrate a comparative study of various Iron oxide nanoparticles on the adsorption behavior of Arsenic metal ion. In addition, we evaluate and compare their antibacterial activities against gram positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Experimental Work

Materials

Chitosan (Molecular weight 200 kDa, DA-80) was purchased from Hi-media. Other reagents such as Arsenic, ferrous chloride, ferric chloride, potassium sodium tartrate, ferric oxide red (hematite), copper sulphate pentahydrate, sodium hydroxide pellets, iron powder and formaldehyde were also purchased from Hi-Media and Merck, are used as received. The double distilled water was used throughout the investigations.

Synthesis of magnetic materials

Magnetite nanoparticles: Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by chemical co-precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, followed by treatment under hydrothermal conditions [21]. Iron (II) chloride and Iron (III) chloride were dissolved in 1:2 molar ratio in distilled water and chemically precipitated at 40ºC by adding 30% NaOH (w/v) dropwise with constant stirring, at a controlled pH (10-10.4). The suspension was heated at 90ºC for one hour under continuous stirring and separated by centrifuging several times in water and then in ethanol at 200 rpm. This purification step was used to remove impurities from Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The particles were finally dried in vacuum at 70ºC.

Magnetic chitosan beads: For preparation of chitosan beads with in situ prepared nanosized magnetite, further denoted as CS-Fe3O4 (in situ ), solution containing 40 ml of 0.4% chitosan solution in 0.4 М HCl.

0.05 M FeCl2 and 0.1 M FeCl3 was prepared. The obtained homogeneous solution was filtered and dropped through capillary (diameter 0.5 mm) into ammonium hydroxide precipitation bath (2.9 M NH3), containing 0.026 М Na2SO3. The prepared CS-Fe3O4 (in situ ) beads were kept in the precipitation bath for 24 h and then were repeatedly washed with deionized water to neutral reaction of the aqueous phase.

Cu coating on nanoparticles: Copper coated nanoparticles were synthesised by electroless method [22], which involves following steps:-

Activation of the particles surface: Magnetic chitosan beads were washed with acetone, followed by absolute ethanol. Acetone and ethanol acts as degreasing agent and removes all the dust and other contaminants.

Preparation of copper bath for coating of magnetic chitosan beads: Copper bath was prepared by adding 1:4 ratio of copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O), potassium sodium tartrate in preheated water at 70°C. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is used to adjust pH up to 10.8. Further above solution is followed to vigorous stirring. Add formaldehyde solution in 1:10 ratio, soon afterwards activated particles of Magnetic chitosan beads were added into the copper bath. Filter the precipitate and dry it.

Characterization

The crystal structure of the samples was studied using Bruker AXS D8 Advance powder X-Ray Diffractometer using Cu Kα as target (λ=1.54 Å) in the range 10-90 at a scan speed of 0.1 per minute. The morphology, particle size and elemental composition analysis was performed by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Tecnai G2 20, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) (Carl Zeiss Ultra Plus) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDX), operating at an accelerating voltage of 15-20 kV. The chemical bonds were studied using Thermo Nicolet Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer in the range 4000-400 cm-1 using KBr pellets. The magnetic properties of the samples were studied by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) (model number 155, Princeton Applied research). On the other hand, stability of particles was evaluated by finding out their potential at neutral pH using Malvern Zeta Sizer. For antibacterial activity tests, 20 ml nutrient agar was poured in wellrinsed, autoclaved petri plates and allowed to solidify. 100 μl of fresh bacterial culture of both the strains was homogeneously spread on the solidified agar plates and 5 mg of iron oxide nanocomposites spread on plates. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The zone size was determined by measuring the radius of the zone of inhibition by scale and divider.

As (III) uptake studies

Forty milliliters of As (III) solution of desired concentration was placed in different 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask containing 0.01 g of various iron oxide sorbents and was agitated in thermostatic water bath at 50 rpm for 3 h. At the end of experiment the sorbent was separated by filtration and supernatant was analyzed by ICP-MS (Perkin Elmer SCIEX ELAN DRC-e).

Results And Discussion

FTIR analysis

In Figure 1, (a-c) the bands at 3437 cm-1, 1636 cm-1, 1127 cm-1 and 617 cm-1 were involved in bonding. Band at 617 cm-1 represents the Fe-O-Fe vibrations. It is characteristic band of Fe3O4. Bands at 3437 cm-1 and 1636 cm-1 represent stretching and bending mode of O-H due to adsorption of water in sample [23]. In Figure 1 (c) band at 2360 cm-1 represents acylamino bonds in chitosan.

chemical-engineering-Iron-oxide

Figure 1: Showing FTIR Images of different Iron oxide composites: a) Fe3O4, b) Fe3O4-Cu, c) Fe3O4- Chitosan, d) Fe2O3- Cu, e) Fe-Cu.

Figure 1, (d) shows FTIR Image of Fe2O3 coated with copper, with bands at 3431, 2360, 1627, 534 and 446 cm-1. Bands at 534 and 446 cm-1 correspond to Fe-O-Fe vibrations and were characteristic peak of Fe2O3. The rest bands are involved in bonding with copper.

Similarly, in Figure 1, (e) bands bands observed at 3430, 1630, 1380, 1109 cm-1 are involved in bonding with copper, and 747 and 517 cm-1 were characteristic peaks of Fe vibrations.

XRD analysis

Figure 2 projects the XRD images of all the samples. Figure 2, (a) shows the XRD pattern of Fe2O3 coated with copper. The peaks at 2θ=32.75, 35.58, 40.47 and 56.59 correspond to hematite (JCPDS Card No. 01-073-0603) phase in the material, to the planes (004), (110), (113) and (211) respectively (marked by * in the image). The peak at 2θ=73.28 (marked by#in the image) indicate existence of both Fe2O3 and copper (JCPDS Card No. 004-0836) phases. Thus, the XRD pattern confirms the coating of copper over Fe2O3 particles. The peaks in Figure 2, (b) at 2θ=43.60,, 50.72 and 74.37 correspond to copper atoms (JCPDS Card No. 00-003-1015) (marked by # in the image) and those at 2θ=44.94 and 82.47 correspond to iron atoms (JCPDS 00-001-1267), marked by $ in the image, thus, indicating the presence of both atoms.

chemical-engineering-Iron

Figure 2: Represents XRD patterns of various Iron oxide composites: a) Fe2O3- Cu, b) Fe-Cu, c) Fe3O4, d) Fe3O4- CS, and e) Fe3O4-Cu.

Figure 2, (c) shows the XRD pattern of magnetite particles. The peaks at 2θ values 30.3, 35.6, 43.1, 53.6 and 57.0 degree correspond to the plane (220), (311), (400), (422) ad (511) respectively. It confirms the presence of Fe3O4, and not γ-Fe2O3 (JCPDS Card no. 019-0629).

Figure 2, (d) was the XRD image of chitosan coated with Fe3O4, with peak at 2θ=31.64 corresponding to chitosan (JCPDS Card No. 039-1894). Peaks at 2θ=37.87 and 65.74 refers to Fe3O4 (JCPDS Card No. 019-0629).

Figure 2, (e) shows the XRD pattern of Fe3O4 coated with copper. The peaks at 2θ=43.07 and 50.08 correspond copper (JCPDS Card No. 04-0836) phase in the material, to the planes (111) and (200) respectively (marked by # in the image). The peak at 2θ=73.89 (marked by ^ in the image) indicate existence of both Fe3O4 (JCPDS Card No. 008-0087) and copper phases. Thus, the XRD pattern confirms the coating of copper over Fe3O4 particles.

FE-SEM analysis

Figure 3 represents FESEM images of all the samples along with EDX analysis.Figure 3, (a) shows the image of Fe3O4 coated with copper, with spherical shaped particles of size 55 μm (mean diameter).Figure 3, (b) shows Fe2O3 coated with copper, nano rod like particles with average length 220 nm.Figure 3, (c)is Fe3O4 with non-uniform size of particles, varying from around 15 μm to 85 μm.Figure 3, (d) depicts uniform sized Fe particles coated with copper particles, with average diameter of particles 150 μm.Figure 3, (e) is the image of Fe3O4- Chitosan beads were porous and spherical in shape; the average diameter of each bead is 377 μm.

chemical-engineering-FESEM-images

Figure 3: Shows FESEM images following composites a) Fe3O4- Cu; b) Fe2O3- Cu; c) Fe3O4; d) Fe-Cu; e) Fe3O4- Chitosan beads.

TEM analysis

The morphological and structural features of Magnetite chitosan nanocomposites were also characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in coupled to an energy dispersive EDX microprobe and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis. The size distribution histogram presented monodispersed nanoparticles with the average size of 10-20 nm in good agreement. EDX spectra showed the chemical analysis of nanocrystals with Fe and chitosan (C, N, O) as the major elements Figure 4.

chemical-engineering-TEM-image

Figure 4: Represents TEM image of Fe3O4 Chitosan bead a) TEM image (inset: SAED image), b) particle size distribution histogram of Fe3O4 Chitosan beads and c) EDX spectrum.

Zeta potential analysis

Figure 5 shows zeta potentials of samples taken in their stable colloidal suspension at neutral pH: a) Fe3O4- Cu: -11.7 mV; b) Fe2O3- Cu: -16.1 mV; c) Fe3O4: 11.9 mV; d) Fe-Cu: -14.4 mV; e) Fe3O4- Chitosan: 19.1 mV at acidic pH 5.5. The positive zeta potential of Fe3O4 chitosan is because of the presence of positively charged chitosan. The negative potential of copper coated nanocomposites may be attributed to the presence of copper [24].

chemical-engineering-Zeta-potential

Figure 5: Represents Zeta potential of different a) Fe3O4- Cu, b) Fe2O3- Cu, c) Fe3O4, d) Fe-Cu and e) Fe3O4- Chitosan.

VSM analysis

Figure 6 depicts VSM images of all the samples. Zero coercivity indicates superparamagnetic nature of the sample. Magnetic saturation is observed at 1.08 emu/g, 0.8 emu/g, 0.77 emu/g, 0.64 emu/g and 0.54 emu/g respectively for Fe- Cu, Fe3O4, Fe3O4- Cu, Fe3O4- Chitosan and Fe2O3 - Cu. These values indicate that the samples have strong magnetic responsivity and can be easily separated from solution using magnetic field.

chemical-engineering-VSM-image

Figure 6: VSM image of a) Fe-Cu; b) Fe3O4; c) Fe3O4- Cu; d) Fe3O4- chitosan; and e) Fe2O3-Cu.

Sorption Studies

0.1 g of Iron oxide nanocomposites was loaded with As (III) (0.5 mg/l) using 40 ml at pH 5.5 agitation period of 180 mins at RT and the agitation rate was 200 r/min. Adsorbed Iron oxide particles collected by magnetic device and was analysed by ICP-MS. The removal percent of As (III) in wastewater was calculated from the following equation:

%Removal=1-m2/m1 × 100

Where, m1 is the initial amount (mg) of As (III) and m2 is the amount (mg) of As (III) unadsorbed. The result of percent removal of As (III) by different Iron oxide composites were shown in Figure 7. After adsorption, among different iron oxide materials, chitosan magnetite bead was found to be higher in percentage removal of As (III) (93%).

chemical-engineering-oxide-samples

Figure 7: Graph represents the percentage (%) removal of As (III) by various iron oxide samples.

Antibacterial activity

We have investigated the biocidal action of different iron oxide nanocomposites. For this we considered E. coli and S. aureus as model bacteria in Figure 8 and observed their growth in the presence of various iron oxide nanocomposites by spread plate method. For qualitative measurement, spread plate method was used. The nutrient agar was spread into the petri plate over the nanocomposites, the culture of both the bacteria’s i.e., gram positive and gram negative was spread on it. 5 mg of each sample was taken and was incubated for 12 hours.

chemical-engineering-antibacterial-effect

Figure 8: Showing the antibacterial effect of: a) Fe2O3- Cu and Fe3O4; b) Fe3O4- Cu and Fe-Cu; c) Fe3O4- Chitosan, using E. coli DH5α.

A marked difference was observed in the plates containing the Copper coated chitosan magnetite nanocomposite with a diameter of 1 cm as compared with the other iron oxide nanocomposites. This result is clear in the Figure 9 and, which confirms from zone of inhibition area that Cu coated Chitosan magnetite nanocomposites have strong inhibitory action against E. coli and S. aureus [24-26].

chemical-engineering-antibacterial

Figure 9: Showing the antibacterial effect of: a) Fe- Cu and Fe3O4; b) Fe3O4- Cu and Fe3O4-Cu; c) Fe3O4- Chitosan, using S. aureus .

Conclusion

Iron oxide nanocomposites were prepared for wastewater treatment. Adsorption occurs by exchange between OH2 and -OH by As atoms in the coordination spheres of Fe atoms.

Chitosan contains many hydroxyl and amino functional groups, that act as adsorption sites for arsenic atoms. When dissolved in water, these amino groups gets deprotonated and bind with metal ions through chelation mechanism.

The best adsorption conditions are pH 5.5, adsorption time 180 mins, at RT. The used level was 0.1g iron oxide nanocomposites added in 40 ml solution contained 0.5 mg/l As (III). The removal percent of As (III) from aqueous solution by magnetic chitosan beads was found to be 93%. It can be concluded that magnetic chitosan beads are an effective adsorbent for the removal of As (III) and microbes for the wastewater treatment.

Acknowledgements

The project was supported by Water Technology Initiative (WTI), Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi. The author(s) would like to acknowledge their generous support.

References

Citation: Namdeo M, Mathur A (2018) Preparation and Application of Magnetic Materials for the Removal of As (III) from Aqueous Solutions. J Adv Chem Eng 8: 189.

Copyright: © 2018 Namdeo M, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.