Applications of iron oxide nano composite in waste water treatment–dye decolourisation and anti‒microbial activity

Abstract

Nano particles have a great potential to be used in waste water treatment. Its unique characteristic of having high surface area can be used efficiently for removing toxic metal ions, microbes, organic dyes from water. Iron oxide nano particles have many biomedical applications. The iron oxide nano composite was synthesised by co precipitation method. Activated charcoal was coated on iron oxide nano particles and this is used in dye degradation applications. Silver was blended with those nano particles for antibacterial activity. The UV results of iron oxide found to be 390nm, and the particle size of the iron nano composites were 50 to 120nm. The elemental compositions of the nano materials showed the presence of iron oxide and activated charcoal. Photo catalytic degradation of organic dye methylene blue by nano composite was performed. Microbes were collected from the waste water. Antibacterial properties of the nano composites were analysed by colony counting method.