Removal of Mercury (II) from Wastewater by Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

Abstract

<em> The presented study investigates application of </em><em>polyethylene glycol (PEG</em><em>)-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as an magnetic nanoadsorbent for magnetic solid-phase extraction (SPE) and the selective removal of toxic heavy metals such as mercury (II) from aqueous solutions and their determination using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). The Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized using co-precipitation and characterized by </em><em>Scanning electron microscopy</em><em> (SEM), </em><em>X-ray diffraction </em><em>(XRD) and </em><em>vibrating-sample magnetometer</em><em>(VSM). The influences of analytical parameters including pH</em><em> and</em><em>eluent type, concentration and volume</em><em> have </em><em>been studied and optimized.</em><em> The optimum pH required for maximum adsorption was found to be 6 for </em><em>mercury</em><em>.</em><em> SEM images showed that the particle- size was about 24 nm and no marked aggregation occurred.</em><em> XRD indicated the sole existence of inverse cubic spinel phase of </em><em>Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles. VSM patterns indicate superparamagnetic of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles. The results obtained from the recovery test showed the capability and reliability of the method for the removing mercury (II) from wastewater</em><em>.</em>