Title: Use of response surface methodology for optimisation of performance of magnetite nanoadsorbents for removal of hexavalent chromium from wastewater

Authors: K.S. Padmavathy; G. Madhu; Dipak Kumar Sahoo

Addresses: Government Engineering College, Thrissur-680009, Kerala, India ' School of Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology, CUSAT-682022, Kerala, India ' School of Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology, CUSAT-682022, Kerala, India

Abstract: Adsorption is a cheap and efficient method for the removal of Cr (VI) from wastewater. Adsorption experiments for Cr (VI) removal are performed batch wise using the synthesised magnetite nanoparticles according to the conditions given in the design of experiments of Box-Behnken design under response surface methodology and it is observed that adsorption is influenced mostly by the adsorbent concentration and the pH-value. The optimum pH for adsorption is 2. Scanning electron microscopy images of synthesised nanoparticles indicate that the particles are of non-uniform size and shape. Thermal stability of synthesised particles has been analysed using thermogravimetric analyser and it has been found that the nanoparticles are thermally stable up to 200°C. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy data show that the synthesised particles contain 80.62% Fe and remaining fraction is oxygen. X-ray diffraction pattern of synthesised particles is in good agreement with standard data for magnetite nanoparticles. Regeneration studies have been carried out using sodium hydroxide.

Keywords: magnetite nanoparticles; adsorption; Cr (VI); wastewater; response surface methodology; RSM; Box-Behnken design; BBD.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2017.086027

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2017 Vol.20 No.1, pp.49 - 65

Accepted: 13 Jan 2017
Published online: 21 Aug 2017 *

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