Abstract:
The study optimized the chromium removal capacity of Fe2O3
nanoparticles through the infusion of cobalt using a singlestep
synthesis method. This approach not only enhanced their magnetic properties but also employs less-chemical synthesis
techniques, ultimately yielding highly magnetic CoFe2O4
nanoparticles and less impurities. The prepared materials underwent
comprehensive testing, encompassing examinations of their optical properties, structure, chemical composition, and
surface characteristics using various analyticals methods. In a span of 90 min under visible light exposure, CoFe2O4
nanoparticles
exhibit the ability to remove more that 90% of chromium. This was corroborated through analysis using Inductively
Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Moreover, the study illustrates that increased temperatures
amplify the endothermic process of chromium adsorption. Positive ΔH°, negative ΔS°, and heightened Cr(IV) adsorption
are linked to the temperature effects on solubility, mobility, and dissolved oxygen. Both Langmuir (
R2 = 0.95, RL
= 0.055)
and Freundlich models (
R2 = 0.98, n = 0.69) suggest favorable adsorption. The efficient Cr(IV) adsorption by CoFe2O4
nanocomposite is attributed to a rapid reaction rate and substantial capacity, following pseudo-second order kinetics (rate
constant 0.01 g mg−
1 min−
1, R2
= 0.99).
