Development of bark-based magnetic iron oxide particle (BMIOP), a bio-adsorbent for removal of arsenic (III) from water

Abstract

Novel low-cost bark-based magnetic iron oxide particles (BMIOPs) were synthesized and investigated for the removal of As(III) in drinking water. The synthesized BMIOP had a saturation magnetization value of 38.62 emug⁻¹ which was found to be enough for the magnetic separation of exhausted BMIOP after As(III) adsorption. Parameters like agitation speed, adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH, temperature, and initial concentration were thoroughly investigated. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were used for the modeling of experiments and observed a maximum adsorption (19.61 mg g⁻¹) of As(III) by Langmuir isotherm. Kinetics of As(III) sorption were well correlated with the coefficients in pseudo-first-order than the pseudo-second-order rate equation. Thermodynamic parameter investigation revealed that As(III) sorption process is endothermic, feasible, and spontaneous. BMIOP emerged as less expensive adsorbent for the abatement of arsenic ion from the drinking water. BMIOP showed 13.58 mg g⁻¹ adsorption capacity when As(V) alone is present, while it is 9.43 and 7.04 mg g⁻¹ for As(V) and As(III), respectively, when present together in the water.

Graphical Abstract

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