(Digital Presentation) Advanced Nanomagnetic Adsorbents for Heavy Metal Removal
Authors: Abdel-Fattah Tarek M , Russo Nicholas , Freeman Matthew , Elmekawy Ahemd 
Published: December 2024

Heavy metal contamination in water is a significant and persistent environmental challenge, as demonstrated by the 2015 lead contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan. Such contamination primarily arises from industrial activities and improper waste management practices, with key contributors being industries like metalworking, electronics manufacturing, and mining. Heavy metals in water are notorious for their toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects, posing serious health risks to humans, including potential birth defects in unborn children. The impact of these pollutants is far-reaching, affecting not only human health but also ecosystems and biodiversity.

One of the most common methods for remediating heavy metal contamination is adsorption. However, conventional adsorbents often suffer from drawbacks, such as difficulties in separating them from the contaminated water and issues with charge affinity. These limitations underscore the need for the development of novel adsorbents that can efficiently address these challenges. Among the promising candidates are nanomagnetic adsorbents, which offer distinct advantages due to their colloidal stability and minimal internal diffusion resistance.

This study focuses on the use of nanoporous magnetic organic-silicate CTAB (NMSC) as a potential solution for the removal of chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous media. The adsorption behavior of NMSC was analyzed through isotherm studies, which revealed that the Freundlich model best described the adsorption process, with a high correlation coefficient (R² = 0.988). The model's n value of 0.898 and Kf value of 0.319 mg/g indicate a high affinity and heterogeneity of the adsorbent. Additionally, kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process followed a second-order kinetics model (R² = 0.984), further demonstrating the effectiveness of NMSC. These findings suggest that NMSC holds great potential as an efficient adsorbent for heavy metal removal, offering a viable solution to mitigate the harmful effects of heavy metal contamination in water systems.

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