Magnetic Mineral Nanocomposite Sorbents for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Magnetic nanocomposite sorbents for disposal of synthetic detergents from wastewater were synthesized. Obtained sorbents based on clay minerals (saponite, palygorskite, and spondyle clay) and magnetite were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and ballistic method with Steinberg magnetometer. As a result, the average crystallite sizes of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in magnetic nanocomposites were 2-10 nm. Magnetic nanocomposites had superparamagnetic properties and were classified as soft magnetic materials. Comparison of sorption properties showed that magnetic composite sorbents had efficiency of adsorption removal of anionic surfactants and polyphosphates from aqueous solution 2-8 times higher compared to native clay minerals. Spent magnetic nanocomposites were effectively removed from the aqueous solution by magnetic separation. So, the efficiency of magnetic composites application and implementing of magnetic separation in adsorption purification was confirmed.