Rapid Adsorption of Magnetite Nanoparticles from Recycled Mill Scale Waste as Potential Adsorbent for Removal of Cu(II) Ions

The present study was conducted to establish adsorbent potential of magnetite nanoparticle ferrous ferric oxide (Fe3O4) for removal of Cu(ll) ions in wastewater. In the study, Fe3O4 was prepared by synthesizing low-cost recycled mill scale waste in an aqueous solution. Samples of scale wastes were milled and ground using high-energy ball milling (HEBM) at three milling times of 5, 7 and 9 hours. Extraction of Fe3O4 was accomplished by magnetic separation technique (MST) and Curie temperature separation technique (CTST). The morphologies and structural properties of Fe3O4 were characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). HRTEM yielded images in the range of 10-22 nm. Maximum adsorption capacity, qe,and percentage removal of Cu(II) ions were achieved at 4.45 mg/g and 62.61% respectively after 7 hours of milling time. The present study recorded the smallest particle size of Fe3O4 imparting high qe, and percentage removal of Cu (II) ion in an aqueous solution, suggesting its high adsorbent potential.