Strontium oxide decorated iron oxide activated carbon nanocomposite: A new adsorbent for removal of nitrate from well water

Abstract

In the present study, activated carbon was magnetized by iron oxide and modified by strontium based nanoparticles (FeAC@Sr) to introduce it as an efficient favorable adsorbent for the removal of nitrate ions from underground water. The decorated adsorbent was characterized in terms of size, structure, morphology and composition using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The equilibrium adsorption data were well fitted and explained by Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 87.42 mg g-1 (theoretical value calculated from the Langmuir isotherm model). Regarding adsorption kinetic it was seen that it is fit for pseudo-second-order process with an equilibrium state which was reached at pH 4.0 in 90 min. The results also revealed that the incorporation of positively charged strontium and iron oxide into the activated carbon has triggered removal efficiency for the negatively charged nitrate ions.