Preparation and Characterization of Magnetic Iron Nanoparticles on Alginate/Bentonite Substrate for the Adsorptive Removal of Pb2+ Ions to Protect the Environment

The problems associated with heavy metal pollutants in household and industrial wastewater affect both humans and the environment. Studies showed that bentonite/Fe3O4 nanoparticles and sodium alginate could be used for effective adsorption of lead ions. To this end, this study first synthesized four groups of bentonite magnetic nanoparticles (at the weights of 0.2, 0.4, 1, and 2 g of bentonite) and then examined their structural properties using the XRD, FT-IR and FE-SEM methods. In the next stage, the prepared magnetic nanoparticles were immobilized on alginate and the beads prepared for lead ions elimination in the synthetic pollutant solution at different adsorbent dosages, pH values, stirring rates, pollutant concentrations, and adsorption durations. The results show that the optimum condition for removal of Pb2+ was using 0.1 g of beads in solution pH of 7, contact time of 8 h for adsorption and stirring rate of 100 rpm. Furthermore, adsorption efficiency of the beads for adsorption of 30 ppm of Pb2+ solution was achieved about 98% and the adsorption of Pb2+ by using alginate magnetic beads following Freundlich isotherm model.