Stabilization of Magnetite Nanoparticles in Humic Acid Medium and Study of Their Sorption Properties

The formation kinetics of magnetite nanoparticles upon their stabilization with potassium humate (PH) has been studied. It has been shown that the properties of Fe3O4/PH composite particles depend essentially on the time interval between the onset of nucleation and the moment of PH addition, as well as on PH concentration during the synthesis. It has been found that the introduction of PH in the optimum concentration gives rise to the formation of a protective adsorption layer, which provides magnetic particles with resistance to aggregation and sedimentation. The study of the sorption properties of magnetic Fe3O4/PH particles with respect to an antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, as depending on the synthesis conditions and characteristics of the particles has shown that the composite particles remove the antibiotic from aqueous solutions much more efficiently than do the unmodified magnetite particles.