# Microwave-Assisted Combustion Synthesis of Nano Iron Oxide/Iron-Coated Activated Carbon, Anthracite, Cellulose Fiber, and Silica, with Arsenic Adsorption Studies

Authors: Mallikarjuna N. Nadagouda; Darren A. Lytle
Journal: Journal of Nanotechnology
 (2011)

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## Abstract

Combustion synthesis of iron oxide/iron coated carbons such as activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica is described. The reactions were carried out in alumina crucibles using a Panasonic kitchen microwave with inverter technology, and the reaction process was completed within a few minutes.  The method used no additional fuel and nitrate, which is present in the precursor itself, to drive the reaction. The obtained samples were then characterized with X-ray mapping, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), selected area diffraction pattern (SAED), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. The size of the iron oxide/iron nanoparticle-coated activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica samples were found to be in the nano range (50–400 nm). The iron oxide/iron nanoparticles mostly crystallized into cubic symmetry which was confirmed by SAED. The XRD pattern indicated that iron oxide/iron nano particles existed in four major phases. That is,γ-Fe2O3, α-Fe2O3, Fe3O4, and Fe. These iron-coated activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica samples were tested for arsenic adsorption through batch experiments, revealing that few samples had significant arsenic adsorption.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Arsenic (As) contamination is one of the most challenging environmental problems today. Millions of people worldwide are exposed to naturally occurring As-contaminated groundwater, which they use as their sole source of drinking water. Increased use of groundwater as a source for drinking water has caused serious health problems such as neurological, dermatological, gastrointestinal, and cardiorenal diseases; arsenic is also a suspected carcinogen. Furthermore, recent research has suggested that As acts as an endocrine disruptor at extremely low concentrations. Recently, because of its high nuisance value, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has revised the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of arsenic in drinking water from 50 to 10μg/L. As a result, there is a need to develop simple, low-cost methods for the removal of As from groundwater used as a source for drinking water.Numerous materials have been used for arsenic adsorption such as rice husk (1), calcined and uncalcined layered double hydroxides (2), low-cost sorbents (3), aluminium oxide and phyllosilicate mineral surfaces in smelter-impacted soils (4),  natural soil (5), waste biomass with a high fibrous protein content obtained from chicken feathers (6), nanocrystalline anatase form of titanium dioxide prepared by hydrolysis of titanium sulfate solution (7), and activated carbons prepared from solvent extracted olive pulp and olive stones (8).There is now a growing interest, however, in using iron and its oxide form for their superior adsorption capability, when compared with the above mentioned alternatives [1–14]. Zhang et al. [1] reported that a novel Fe-Mn binary oxide adsorbent was developed for effective As (III) removal, which is more difficult to remove from drinking water and much more toxic to humans than As (V). The synthetic adsorbent showed a significantly higher As (III) uptake than As (V). Zhang et al. [2] showed that the bimetal oxide adsorbent showed a significantly higher As (V) adsorption capacity than the referenced Ce and Fe oxides (CeO2 and Fe3O4) prepared by the same procedure, and some other arsenate adsorbents reported recently. Adsorption kinetics of arsenate and dimethylarsinate (DMA) on goethite (alpha-FeOOH) were investigated at different pH values and inert electrolyte concentrations. Their adsorption kinetics were described and compared using Elovich plots [4].Nanoscale zero-valent iron was tested for the removal of As (III) in anoxic groundwater. Arsenic (III) adsorption kinetics were rapid and occurred on a scale of minutes following a pseudo-first-order rate expression with observed reaction rate constants of 0.07–1.3 min−1, and these values were about 1000 times higher than literature values for As (III) adsorption on micron-sized Iron [6]. New adsorbent, bead cellulose loaded with iron oxyhydroxide was applied for the adsorption and removal of arsenate and arsenite from aqueous systems. The adsorption capacity for arsenite and arsenate was 99.6 and 33.2 mg/g bead cellulose loaded with iron oxyhydroxide at pH 7.0, with an Fe content of 220 mg/mL. Kinetic data suggests a pseudo-second-order reaction model. Arsenate elimination was favored at acidic pH, whereas the adsorption of arsenite by bead cellulose loaded with iron oxyhydroxide was found to be effective in a wide pH range of 5–11 [12]. Effort from our laboratory to develop simple, low-cost methods for the removal of As from groundwater used as a source for drinking water herein, we report on studies of iron oxide/iron nanoparticle-coated activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica sample preparation using microwave-assisted combustion synthesis and their application in arsenic removal.  The reaction occurs within a few minutes, uses no additional fuel, and is easy to process.


## 2. Experimental

The experimental procedure was carried out using Fe (NO3)3·9H2O (Aldrich, 99%) with various different carbons, and the composition ratio is shown in Table 1. The different ratio of Fe (NO3)3·9H2O to activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica was mixed using a pestle and mortar, and then transferred to an alumina crucible. The mixtures were then heated under microwave irradiation (Panasonic kitchen microwave oven with inverter technology) for one to three minutes (Table 1).Table 1
Code, composition, and time of exposure of the reaction mixture.
Sample numberSample codeSample compositionTime exposed to microwave irradiation (Min)1NM15.4 gm activated carbon + 8.8 gm of Fe (NO3)3·9H2O1 + 1.5 + 32NM29.9 gm anthracite + 4.9 gm of Fe (NO3)3·9H2O + 0.5 mL H2O23NM39.9 gm anthracite + 11.12 gm of Fe (NO3)3·9H2O + 0.5 mL H2O24NM45 gm carbon (Hydrodarco 4000, lot No. 873812) + 11 gm of Fe (NO3)3·9H2O + 0.5 ml H2O25NM55 gm carbon (Norit, GAC 1240 lot. 30212-6) + 11.2 gm of Fe (NO3)3·9H2O + 0.5 mL H2O26NM65 gm activated carbon + 11.1 gm of Fe (NO3)3·9H2O + 0.5 mL H2O27NM74.92 gm cellulose fibrous long (sigma batch.047k0142) + 11.98 Fe (NO3)3·9H2O + 0.5 mL H2O1 + 18NM824.8 gm of sand coarse + 9.8 Fe (NO3)3·9H2O  + 0.5 mL H2O2Batch experiments were conducted for arsenic adsorption at room temperature.  A stock arsenic solution was prepared by dissolution of 0.12 g Na2HAsO4 into 4.0 L H2O resulting in an initial concentration of 10 mg/L. Additionally, dissolved inorganic carbon was added by dissolving 1.40 g NaHCO3 into the stock solution resulting in a dissolved in inorganic carbon level. Subsequently, the pH was adjusted to 7.0 by computer-controlled automatic titration. To high-density polyethylene bottles, 300 mL of stock solution and 0.25 g of synthesized adsorption media (MN-1 to MN-7) were added.  Sample bottles were agitated by continuous tumbling for 48 hours. Approximately 60 mL of supernatant was extracted, filtered by 0.20 μm syringe filter, and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and  results are given in Figure 11 and Table 2.Table 2
Arsenic adsorption study results.
Sample nameAs removed (%)Adsorption (mg/g)E3396.742.0MN-119.85.9MN-245.013.3MN-320.56.2MN-484.625.3MN-598.829.8MN-654.115.9MN-798.528.7MN-825.87.6A JEOL-1200EXII TEM with a side-mounted Gatan digital camera was used for the imaging of activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica coated iron oxide/iron nanoparticles.  FifteenμL of iron oxide/iron nanoparticle coated activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica samples were dispersed in acetone, placed on a formvar-carbon coated copper grid, and allowed to air dry.  Images were captured at an accelerating voltage of 120 kV and collected using Gatan software.  For SEM, a JEOL-6490LV with an Oxford X-Act EDS system was used for imaging and elemental analysis.  Images and EDS spectra were captured using an accelerating voltage of 15 to 30 kV.  Spectra were collected for 50 live seconds using a process time of 5 percent, and a 30 to 50 percent dead-time. A Panalytical (Expert) 2-theta diffractometer with a copper Kα source was used to identify crystalline phases of the iron oxide/iron nanoparticle-coated activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica samples. Scans were performed over a 2-theta ranging from 5 to 70°


## 3. Results and Discussion

Combustion synthesis or self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) provides striking realistic alternative to the conventional methods of producing advanced materials, such as ceramics, composites, and intermetallic compounds. The combustion procedure involves the decomposition of a reduction/ oxidation reaction system, which then proceeds as a self-sustaining front throughout the reactant gel mixture. The reaction conditions and the large amount of heat evolved during the reaction make possible the direct fabrication of a large number of single or multicomponent powders that are crystalline and homogeneous and have a narrow particle size distribution.The combustion synthesis of iron oxide/iron coated activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber and silica samples were carried out in a kitchen microwave oven. The reaction uses activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber and silica obtained from different vendors, and iron nitrate as precursor material for iron oxide/iron nanoparticle-coating. Nitrate, which was present in the precursor, Fe (NO3)3 ·9H2O, can be used as a fuel for obtaining the desired materials.  The different concentrations of iron nitrate with activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber and silica were ignited using the microwave oven, in highly exothermic reactions completed within one to three minutes. A uniform coating of iron oxide/iron nanoparticles was observed (see Figures 1(a)–1(d) and Figures 2(a)–2(c)). X-ray mapping images of MN-1 (red-Fe, green-C, and blue-O), MN-2 (blue-Fe, green-O, and red-C), MN-3 (green-Fe, red-O, and blue-C), and MN-4 (red-Silica, green-Fe and blue-O) samples are shown in Figures 1(a)–1(d), respectively.  X-ray mapping studies indicate that iron nanoparticles are coated uniformly on the surface of carbon, anthracite, and silica. Similar coatings were observed for the MN-5 (red-Fe, green-C, and blue-oxygen), MN-6 (blue-Fe, green-O, and red-C), and MN-7 (green-Fe, red-O, and blue-C) samples. The energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) indicates the presence of iron in each case, and a representative EDS image of MN-7 is shown in Figure 2(d).X-ray mapping images of (a) MN-1 (red-Fe, green-C, and blue-O), (b) MN-2 (blue-Fe, green-O, and red-C), (c) MN-3 (green-Fe, red-O, and blue-C), and (d) MN-4 (red-Silica, green-Fe, and blue-O).
(a)(b)(c)(d)X-ray mapping images of (a) MN-5 (red-Fe, green-C, and blue-O), (b) MN-6 (blue-Fe, green-O, and red-C), (c) MN-7 (green-Fe, red-O, and blue-C), and (d) EDS spectrum of MN-7.
(a)(b)(c)(d)In order to understand the surface morphology, crystal shape and size, SEM analysis performed on MN-1 to MN-8 samples, and the results are shown in Figures3 and 4. Figure 3 shows the SEM images of the iron-coated MN-1, MN-2, MN-3, and MN-4 samples. The iron oxide/iron nanoparticle coating varies from particles to flake depending upon the material used for preparation (see Figure 3).  MN-1, MN-3, and MN-4 samples exhibit a spherical iron oxide/iron nanoparticle coating whereas MN-2 displays a flake-like coating. The flake-like iron oxide/iron structures may result from insufficient fuel energy to break the iron into particles. Highly dispersed iron oxide/iron coatings appear on MN-5, MN-6, and MN-7 samples as shown in Figure 4. Notably, the MN-7 sample carbon, which was obtained from cellulose fiber, retained its parent structure even after modification with iron oxide/iron coating.SEM images of iron coated (a) MN-1, (b) MN-2, (c) MN-3, and (d) MN-4.
(a)(b)(c)(d)SEM Images of iron coated (a) MN-5, (b) MN-6, and (c-d) MN-7.
(a)(b)(c)(d)These fiber-based, carbon-coated iron oxide/iron materials exhibit numerous practical applications, including serving as membranes for arsenic removal.  TEM studies confirm that nanoscale iron oxide/iron particles are achieved regardless of the material used for preparation (see Figures5 and 6). MN-1 and MN-2 samples yielded spherical particles, while MN-3 yielded brush-like structures and MN-4 yielded ring-like structures (see Figure 5).TEM images of iron coated (a) MN-1, (b) MN-2, (c) MN-3, and (d) MN-4.
(a)(b)(c)(d)TEM images of iron coated (a) MN-5, (b) MN-6, (c) MN-7, and (d) MN-8 samples.
(a)(b)(c)(d)In the case of MN-5, MN-6, and MN-7, spherical-shaped structures were formed, while brush-like structures were formed on the MN-8 sample. For the selected samples, SAED results are shown in Figure7. The samples crystallize in cubic symmetry. XRD was performed on all the synthesized samples and representative data are shown in Figures 8–10 (also see Figure S1–S5).  Depending on the substrate and concentration of Fe(NO3)3used, four major phase were identified, namely, maghemite(γ-Fe2O3), Fe3O4, hematite (α-Fe2O3), and Fe metal. Generally, broad XRD peaks indicate the coated iron particles of nanometer size.Selected area diffraction pattern (SAED) of (a) MN-1, and (b) MN-5 samples.
(a)(b)Figure 8
XRD pattern of maghemite coated anthracite synthesized using combustion reaction (MN-1 sample).Figure 9
XRD pattern of maghemite coated commercial carbon synthesized using combustion reaction (MN-5 sample).Figure 10
XRD pattern of hematite coated cellulose fibers synthesized using combustion reaction (MN-7 sample).Figure 11
Arsenic adsorption study results.Commercially available Bayoxide E33 (Bayer) is compared to these synthesized media for arsenic adsorption studies, and the data is shown in Figure11 and Table 2.  MN-4, MN-5, and MN-7 show comparable arsenic removal capabilities at tested time interval.


## 4. Conclusions

Combustion synthesis of iron oxide/iron nanoparticle-coated carbons such as activated carbon, anthracite, and silica is described. The reactions were carried out in alumina crucibles using a kitchen microwave oven, and the reaction completes within a few minutes.  The method uses no additional fuel and uses a nitrate which is present in the precursor itself to drive the reaction. Depending upon the source of carbon used for the preparation, the formation of iron oxide/iron is observed. The coated iron oxide/iron nanoparticles were mostly spherical in nature, with size ranging from 50 to 400 nm. In a few cases, however, such as MN-3 and MN-8, brush-like structures were observed. Samples MN-4, MN-5, and MN-7 had significant arsenic adsorption when compared with samples MN-1, MN-2, MN-3, MN-6, MN-8, and the E-33 control sample. The synthesized iron oxide/iron nanoparticle-coated activated carbon, anthracite, cellulose fiber, and silica samples may serve as a part of practical applications for environmental remediation, catalysis, membrane design, and other technological solutions.



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*Source: 972486-2011-06-21.xml*