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Facile encapsulation of nano zero-valent iron with calcium carbonate: synthesis, characterization and application for iron remediation

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Abstract

In this study, CaCO3 was used as a modifier for nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) surface to prevent rapid aggregation and effectively utilized for iron remediation from aqueous solution. Surface chemistry and morphology of CaCO3 encapsulated nZVI (CaCO3–nZVI) before and after treatment of contaminant iron solution were characterized by scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The mechanisms of surface modification as well as iron remediation were well depicted with the help of these characterisation tools. Iron removal efficacy of 96.4% was achieved with 0.25 g/L adsorbent dose for an influent iron of 0.5 mg/L at pH 10 after a 3 h treatment process. When the influent concentration was increased to 10 mg/L, the removal capacity decreased to 92.1%. The study demonstrates that CaCO3 and nZVI in the encapsulated nanoparticle have a significant synergistic effect. The pseudo-second- order reaction kinetics and Freundlich isotherm model correctly portrayed the experimental data for iron removal by CaCO3–nZVI. The CaCO3–nZVI is a viable option for iron removal from various aqueous media due to its facile preparation, high iron removal capability, and reusability.

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Acknowledgements

The authors expressed their gratitude for the research facilities provided by the Government Engineering College Thrissur, Kerala. The services provided by the Sophisticated Test and Instrumentation Centre (STIC, CUSAT), CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Thrissur, for characterization studies are also greatly acknowledged.

Funding

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) funded this research under the NDF-RPS initiative for NDF research scholars.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Government Engineering College Thrissur, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, 695016, Thiruvananthapuram, India

    Jismy Antony & V. Meera

  2. Department of Chemistry, Government Engineering College Thrissur, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, 695016, Thiruvananthapuram, India

    Vinod P. Raphael

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Marian Engineering College Thiruvananthapuram, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, 695016, Thiruvananthapuram, India

    P. Vinod

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Correspondence to V. Meera.

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Antony, J., Meera, V., Raphael, V.P. et al. Facile encapsulation of nano zero-valent iron with calcium carbonate: synthesis, characterization and application for iron remediation. J Environ Health Sci Engineer 20, 915–930 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-022-00831-0

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