Adsorption behavior of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions using tungstate-modified magnetic nanoparticle

A new magnetic nanoparticle modified with sodium tungstate (Mnp-Si-W) was synthesized and employed for the sorption of molybdenum from aqueous solutions. The prepared nanoparticles (Mnp-Si-W) were characterized by different advanced techniques. Different parameters that influenced the adsorption percent of Mo(VI) were investigated using a batch process. Based on a systematic investigation of the adsorption isotherms and kinetics models, Mo(VI) adsorption follows the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetics. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the Mnp-Si-W nanoparticles exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 182.03 mg g−1 for Mo(VI) at pH 2.0. The effect of competing ions showed that the prepared nanoparticles have a high selectivity for the sorption of molybdenum. Moreover, the effect of some interfering anions on Mo(VI) ion sorption is found in the following order: phosphate < sulfate < chromate. Finally, the nanoparticle (Mnp-Si-W) can be successfully reused five times.