Utilization of bare MgO, CeO₂, and ZnO nanoparticles for nitrate removal from aqueous solution

Abstract

The traditional drinking water purification process is inefficient in removing nitrate significantly. Adsorption can be the most practical method for the removal of nitrate from drinking water. In this study, novel MgO, CeO2, and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were utilized for nitrate removal. The MgO, CeO2, and Zn NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy‐energy disperse X‐ray (SEM‐EDX), and X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. The efficiency of nitrate removal was examined through batch adsorption experiments. The influence of various parameters was studied, namely pH (3–8), temperature (15–40°C), time (10–1440 min), and liquid/solid weight ratio (L/S =25 mL/0.025 g). The optimum conditions from mentioned parameters were used in isotherm experiments with initial nitrate concentration (22–220 mg/L). The adsorption kinetics and isotherm data obeyed well Pseudo‐second‐order and linear and Freundlich models, indicating the multi layer‐chemisorption of nitrate ions. The maximum adsorption capacities of nitrate (N‐ NO3−1) calculated by final point of isotherm experiments were 86.4 mg/g for MgO, 57.6 mg/g for ZnO, and 58.6 mg/g for CeO2. The thermodynamic parameters ( ΔG°, Δ H °, ΔS°) were evaluated. From the thermodynamic parameters, it is suggested that the adsorption of nitrate on NPs followed the endothermic and spontaneous processes. The desorption potential of MgO, CeO2, and ZnO also showed the stability and reusability. Our findings also revealed that among studied NPs from this study and literature MgO NPs is potentially the best adsorbent for removal of nitrate from aqueous solutions. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018

Preparation and application of a surfactant‐modified Halloysite nanotubes for the adsorption of nitrates from aqueous solutions: Kinetic and equilibrium studies

“…Drinking water that contain more than 50 mg/L nitrate ions resulted in various human health issues such as blue‐baby syndrome 7 . To remove this contaminant from wastewaters, a number of methods have been developed, which include adsorption, membrane technology and biological treatment where high nitrate removal ability has been attained 8–12 . The efficiency, drawbacks and challenges of the aforementioned techniques for the nitrate remediation from water was discussed in our recent review 13 .…”

“…The efficiency, drawbacks and challenges of the aforementioned techniques for the nitrate remediation from water was discussed in our recent review 13 . Among the treatment technologies, adsorption method was gained growing importance due to its economical, high efficiency, uncomplicated equipment required and good reliability 12,14,15 . In this regards, various nanomaterials have been used as adsorbents for nitrate removal including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), 16,17 graphen oxide (GO) 18,19 and activated carbon 20–22 which showed a maximum removal rate.…”

“…13 Among the treatment technologies, adsorption method was gained growing importance due to its economical, high efficiency, uncomplicated equipment required and good reliability. 12,14,15 In this regards, various nanomaterials have been used as adsorbents for nitrate removal including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), 16,17 graphen oxide (GO) 18,19 and activated carbon [20][21][22] which showed a maximum removal rate. For example, the removal efficiency of nitrate by a functionalized bamboo activated carbon was ranged between 34.08% and 93.70%.…”

“…wastewaters, a number of methods have been developed, which include adsorption, membrane technology and biological treatment where high nitrate removal ability has been attained. [8][9][10][11][12] The efficiency, drawbacks and challenges of the aforementioned techniques for the nitrate remediation from water was discussed in our recent review. 13 Among the treatment technologies, adsorption method was gained growing importance due to its economical, high efficiency, uncomplicated equipment required and good reliability.…”