Synthesis, characterization and application of cellulose/Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite for removal of zinc ions from aqueous solutions

The removal of zinc ions from polluted water by magnetic cellulose nanocomposites was investigated. Zn is one of the most common pollutants for surface and ground water as its versatile uses[1]. cellulose, naturally occurring polysaccharide is the most effective adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from waste water [2] .super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have large surface area, surface modifiability, biocompatibility, low toxicity and chemical inertness which is highly apposite in adsorption technology for environmental remediation[3]. cellulose containing magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by chemical co-precipitation method. The cellulose/Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite has been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. A batch technique was adopted to check the ability of the cellulose/Fe3O4 nanocomposite to remove Zn2+ as a function of various environmental parameters such as contact time, solution pH, adsorbent dose, and temperature. The sorption kinetics process achieved equilibrium within a contact time of 40 min. The sorption isotherms were well simulated by the Langmuir model, and the maximum sorption capacity was calculated to be 6 mg/g.