Review: Nanosized magnetite in low cost materials for environmental remediation of wastewater polluted with toxic metals, azo- and antraquinonic dyes

MARÍA FERNANDA HORST; VERÓNICA LASSALLE; MARÍA LUJÁN FERREIRA

Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering

Springer

Año: 2015 vol. 9 p. 746 - 769

2095-2201

Nanosized magnetite has emerged as nanomaterial adsorbent of pollutants in water remediation. The materials composing these nanoadsorbents include iron oxide, as magnetic phase, and a wide gamma of modifiers and stabilizers, such as carbon, silica, clay, organic moieties (polymers, aminoacids, fatty acids) and other inorganic oxides. This review is focused on the recent developments on the synthesis and use of magnetic nanoparticles and nanocomposites in the treatment of contaminated water. The emphasis is given by the influence of the iron oxide modifiers on some properties of interest such as size, BET area, and magnetization. The characteristics of these nanomaterials are related to their ability and efficiency to eliminate heavy metal ions and dyes from wastewater. Comparative analysis of the actual literature was performed aiming to present the magnetic material, its preparation methodology and performance in the elimination of the selected pollutants. To this end, vast information has been properly summarized according to the materials, their properties and preferential affinity for selected contaminants. The mechanisms governing both, nanomaterial formation as well as the interactions with heavy metals and dyes, have been carefully analyzed and associated to their efficiency.