Effective Removal of Nitrogenous Pesticides from Water Using Functionalized Calix[4]arene-Decorated Magnetite Nanoparticles

An effective nano-adsorbent has been synthesized by the modification of magnetite nanoparticles with ionic-liquid modified calix[4]arene through covalent linkage. This nanocomposite was used for the removal of amino-functionalized nitrogenous pesticides, metribuzin (MET), and dicloran (DIC) from an aqueous solution through adsorption. The adsorption studies showed that the synthesized nanomaterial was effective in removing these pollutants from an aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity for MET and DIC were 5.88 and 1.94 mg g(-1), respectively. The effect of various factors, such as dosage, pH, and temperature, were studied on the adsorptive removal of MET and DIC. The adsorption was observed to follow Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics for MET and DIC. The nano-adsorbent was stable and reusable even after the third cycle. The present studies will lead to the development of an ultimate tool for attempting to the problem of water pollution.