Arsenic removal by magnetic nanocrystalline barium hexaferrite

Abstract

Nanoscale magnetite (Fe3O4) (<15 nm) is known to remove arsenic efficiently but is very difficult to separate or require high magnetic fields to separate out from the waste water after treatment. Anisotropic hexagonal ferrite (BaFe12O19, BHF) is a well-known permanent magnet (i.e., fridge magnets) and attractive due to its low cost in making large quantities. BHF offers a viable alternative to magnetite nanocrystals for arsenic removal since it features surfaces similar to iron oxides but with much enhanced magnetism. Herein, we employ BHF nanocrystalline materials for the first time in arsenic removal from wastewater. Our results show better (75%) arsenic removal than magnetite of the similar sizes. The BHF nanoparticles, 6.06 +/- 0.52 nm synthesized by thermolysis method at 320 degrees C do not show hexagonal phase, however, subsequent annealing at 750 degrees C produced pure hexagonal BHF in >200 nm assemblies. By using BHF, we demonstrate that nanoparticle removal is more efficient and fixed bed type cartridge applications are more possible.