Magnesium ferrite nanoparticles as a magnetic sorbent for the removal of Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ from aqueous solution

The aim of this research was to prepare magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄) magnetic nanoparticles and to investigate their sorption characteristics towards Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous solution. MgFe₂O₄ was synthesized by glycine-nitrate combustion method and was characterized by low crystallinity with crystallite size of 8.2?nm, particle aggregates of 13–25?nm, BET surface area of 14?m²/g and pore size of 8.0?nm. Sorption properties of MgFe₂O₄ towards Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ ions were studied using one-component model solutions and found to be dependent on metal ions concentration, contact time, pH and conditions of regeneration experiment. The highest sorption capacity of MgFe₂O₄ was detected towards Co²⁺ (2.30?mmol?g¹) and Mn²⁺ (1.56?mmol?g^?1) and the lowest towards Ni²⁺ (0.89?mmol?g^?1) and Cu²⁺ (0.46?mmol?g^?1). It was observed that sorption equilibrium occurs very quickly within 20–60?min. The pH_zpc of sorbent was calculated to be 6.58. At studied pH interval (3.0–7.0) the sorption capacity of MgFe₂O₄ was not significantly affected. Regeneration study showed that the metal loaded sorbent could be regenerated by aqueous solution of 10^?3 M MgCl₂ at pH 6.0 within 120?min of contact time. Regeneration test suggested that MgFe₂O₄ magnetic sorbent can be efficiently used at least for four adsorption-desorption cycles. The high sorption properties and kinetics of toxic metal ion sorption indicates good prospects of developed sorbent in practice for wastewater treatment.