REMOVAL OF CD(II) FROM AQUEOUS MEDIUM USING MAGNESIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES
B.A.A.R. Balasooriya1, R.M.G. Rajapaksa2* and A.S.S. Mendis3
1,2Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya (20400), 2,3Department of chemistry, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya (20400)
Session: Technical Session B
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in drinking water has become a severe threat to all living beings without any boundaries. Generally, these contaminants can be either anthropogenic or originate from industrial activities or unavoidable natural disasters. However, during the last few decades, uncontrolled pollution in natural water bodies has led to a number of irreversible outcomes all over the world. As it undergoes bioaccumulation, it may cause complex health issues in all living creatures. Mostly, heavy metal contaminated industrial effluents enter natural water bodies, due to inadequate prior treatment. Polluted water can be treated using different chemical and physical adsorption methodologies. In this study, MgO nano particles were prepared separately using commercially available dolomite and aqueous Mg2+ solution, in the presence of HTAC (hexadecyl-trimethylammonium chloride) surfactant, with the aim of removing Cd(II) from the aqueous medium. Using Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Cd (II) adsorption was observed and development of a band at 739 cm-1 in the spectrum confirmed the formation of the Cd-O bond. Further, agglomeration of nanoparticles was determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) which provided strong evidence for Cd(II) trapping. The removal of Cd(II) was observed under different conditions including dosage, shaking time, settling time and pH. According to the results, the optimized parameter for the nano MgO was 6 mg dosage, 30 minutes shaking time and 10 minutes setting time within the PH range of 6.0 to 8.0.
Keywords: heavy metal adsorption, nano-magnesium oxide, magnesium oxide nono wires
DOI: 10.64752/GGLF4736