Development of iron oxide nanoparticles using alginate hydrogel template for chromium (VI) ions removal

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were developed by alginate hydrogel template for chromium (VI) ions separation. The IONPs were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and magnetic properties analysis. The separation efficiency of the IONPs for Cr(VI) ions investigated under initial Cr(VI) ions concentration, pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and temperature. Furthermore, the adsorption process data were tested using different kinetic models. The isotherm nature was examined using Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin models. Besides, the adsorption controlling step was determined using inter-particles and D-W diffusion models. The thermodynamic nature of the process was extracted using Van't Hoff plot.