Authors: Syeda Noor Ul Ain | Muhammad Saqib Khan | Nadia Riaz | Ajmal Khan | Amna Sarwar | Asaad Khalid | Afnan Jan | Qaisar Mahmood | Ahmed Al‐Harrasi
Source: ACS Omega (article, 2024-03-14)
Field: Chemistry — Analytical Chemistry

Surface-Functionalized Magnetic Silica-Malachite Tricomposite (Fe–M–Si tricomposite): A Promising Adsorbent for the Removal of Cypermethrin This study assessed the efficacy of adsorption for eliminating the agricultural pesticide cypermethrin (CP) from wastewater using various adsorbents: silica, malachite, and magnetite. Magnetic nanocomposites (NCs) (with varying amounts of Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt/wt %) were synthesized, including Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles (NPs), bicomposites, and tricomposites, calcined at 300 and 500 °C, and then tested for CP removal. The study was conducted in two phases, with the objective of initially assessing how effectively each individual NP performed and then evaluating how effectively the NCs performed when used for the adsorption of CP. Notably, the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-malachite combination exhibited superior CP removal, with the 0.25-Fe-M NC achieving the highest adsorption at 635.4 mg/g. This success was attributed to the large surface area, magnetic properties of Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, and adsorption capabilities of malachite. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherm analysis indicated that the NCs had potential applications in adsorption and separation processes. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the spherical, irregular shaped morphology of the synthesized NPs and NCs. However, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of surface functionalized materials such as surface functionalized malachite [Cu<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>] with Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> may be complicated by the specific functionalization method used and the relative amounts and crystallographic orientations of each component. Therefore, careful interpretation and analysis of the XRD pattern, along with other techniques, are necessary for accurate identification and characterization of the functionalized material. The originality of this study lies in its comprehensive investigation of several adsorbents and NCs for CP removal at neutral pH. The innovation stems from the synergistic action of Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and malachite, which results in improved CP removal due to their combined surface properties and magnetic characteristics. The application of magnetic NCs in adsorption and separation, as validated by BET isotherm analysis, highlights the potential breakthrough in addressing pesticide contamination. Malachite green ; Adsorption ; Materials science ; Scanning electron microscope ; Surface modification ; Nuclear chemistry ; Specific surface area ; Nanocomposite ; Chemical engineering ; High-resolution transmission electron microscopy ; Calcination ; Transmission electron microscopy ; Chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; Organic chemistry ; Composite material ; Catalysis Analytical chemistry methods development ; Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal ; Electrochemical sensors and biosensors