Simple synthesis of bacterial cellulose/magnetite nanoparticles composite for the removal of antimony from aqueous solution

Abstract

Abstract: The progress of efficient wastewater treatment predominantly depends on materials fabrication. Polygonal magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) were fabricated with 6–14 nm diameter by a developed co-precipitation approach, using non-toxic biotemplate bacterial cellulose (BC), biosynthesized by Gluconacetobacter xylinus (ATCC ® 10245). The fabricated BC/MNPs composite was used for the removal of antimony (Sb (III)) from aqueous solution for the first time. The fabricated BC/MNPs-C was structurally characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). BC/MNPs-C has a saturation magnetization of 55.15 emu g −1 , surface area and pore size of 85.68 m 2 g −1 and 60 nm, respectively, as determined using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method. Networks were basically mesoporous with pore sizes mostly < 60 nm and pore size distribution centered around 27 nm. Adsorption data were modeled using four adsorption isotherms, including Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) models. The experimental data fitted Langmuir isotherm and followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating that the Sb (III) adsorption process occurred on homogenous monolayer, and it is chemically controlled via electrostatic attraction. The Sb (III) adsorption reached its equilibrium status within 60 min. EDXS analysis confirmed the presence of Sb (III) on the BC/MNPs-C surface. The fabricated BC/MNPs-C showed considerable regeneration capability and high performance after four successive cycles, with almost the same efficiency (88.7–93%). The overall work provides a green/simple method for bio-based nanocomposite preparation with excellent magnetic properties for the removal of antimony. As a result, the fabricated BC/MNPs-C could have important applications in many environmental and biological fields. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].