Abstract
In this study, we investigated the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) through an innovative approach, which employed iron sulfide nanoparticles synthesized via a green chemistry technique, utilizing extracts derived from date palm seeds (referred to as ds-FeS). Batch studies, which were well represented by the Langmuir isotherm model, were conducted to determine the maximum removal capacities (qm) of ds-FeS nanoparticles at three different initial pH conditions (pH = 3, 7, and 9). Additionally, batch kinetic studies were conducted under varying conditions of initial Cr(VI) load (3.5, 9, 27, and 38 mg/g of nanoparticles), nanoparticle dose (25, 37, 50, and 75 g/g of Cr(VI)), and initial pH (3, 5, 7, and 9). Results demonstrated the positive impact of acidic pH during Cr(VI) removal by ds-FeS wherein the highest qm of 31.3 mg/g and initial rate of 6.95 mg/g·min (pseudo-second order kinetics) were observed at pH 3. Conversely, with an increase in pH to neutral and alkaline conditions, a decline in both qm and initial rates was observed. Measurements of solution pH, total chromium, and particle surface chemistry using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry techniques revealed the crucial roles of reduction, surface precipitation, and complexation processes in Cr(VI) removal by ds-FeS nanoparticles. Overall, this study demonstrates the promising potential of environmentally friendly, date palm seed–derived iron sulfide nanoparticles for Cr(VI) removal.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The datasets are available from the corresponding author upon request.
References
Abdul, N. A., Abdul-Talib, S., & Amir, A. (2019). Nano-pyrite as a reductant to remove chromium in groundwater. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 23, 992–999.
Abushawish, A., Almanassra, I. W., Backer, S. N., Jaber, L., Khalil, A. K., Abdelkareem, M. A., Sayed, E. T., Alawadhi, H., Shanableh, A., & Atieh, M. A. (2022). High-efficiency removal of hexavalent chromium from contaminated water using nitrogen-doped activated carbon: Kinetics and isotherm study. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 291, 126758.
Akhtar, M. S., Alenad, A., & Malik, M. A. (2015). Synthesis of mackinawite FeS thin films from acidic chemical baths. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 32, 1–5.
Bandara, P., Peña-Bahamonde, J., & Rodrigues, D. (2020). Redox mechanisms of conversion of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) by graphene oxide-polymer composite. Scientific Reports, 10, 1–8.
Bhattacharjee, S., Habib, F., Darwish, N., & Shanableh, A. (2021). Iron sulfide nanoparticles prepared using date seed extract: Green synthesis, characterization and potential application for removal of ciprofloxacin and chromium. Powder Technology, 380, 219–228.
Bolade, O. P., Williams, A. B., & Benson, N. U. (2020). ‘Green synthesis of iron-based nanomaterials for environmental remediation: A review’, Environmental Nanotechnology. Monitoring & Management, 13, 100279.
Chen, W., Chen, S., Morsi, Y., El-Hamshary, H., El-Newhy, M., Fan, C., & Mo, X. (2016). Superabsorbent 3D scaffold based on electrospun nanofibers for cartilage tissue engineering. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 8, 24415–24425.
Dalal, U., & Reddy, S. N. (2019). A novel nano zero-valent iron biomaterial for chromium (Cr6+ to Cr3+) reduction. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26, 10631–10640.
Farooqi, Z. H., Akram, M. W., Begum, R., Wu, W., & Irfan, A. (2021). Inorganic nanoparticles for reduction of hexavalent chromium: Physicochemical aspects. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 402, 123535.
Gong, Y., Tang, J., & Zhao, D. (2016). Application of iron sulfide particles for groundwater and soil remediation: A review. Water Research, 89, 309–320.
Guertin, J. (2004). ‘Toxicity and health effects of chromium (all oxidation states) (pp. 215–234). Chromium (VI) handbook.
Horsfall, M., Jr., Ogban, F., & Akporhonor, E. E. (2006). Sorption of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution by cassava (Manihot sculenta Cranz.) waste biomass. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 3, 161–174.
Houng, K.-H., & Lee, D.-Y. (1998). ‘Comparisons of linear and nonlinear Langmuir and Freundlich curve-fit in the study of Cu, Cd and Pb adsorption on Taiwan soils. Soil Science, 163, 115–121.
Islam, M. A., Angove, M. J., & Morton, D. W. (2019). ‘Recent innovative research on chromium (VI) adsorption mechanism’, Environmental Nanotechnology. Monitoring & Management, 12, 100267.
Jin, X., Liu, Y., Tan, J., Owens, G., & Chen, Z. (2018). Removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions via reduction and absorption by green synthesized iron nanoparticles. Journal of Cleaner Production, 176, 929–936.
Kerur, S., Bandekar, S., Hanagadakar, M. S., Nandi, S. S., Ratnamala, G., & Hegde, P. G. (2021). Removal of hexavalent Chromium-Industry treated water and Wastewater: A review. Materials Today: Proceedings, 42, 1112–1121.
Kong, L., Yan, R., Liu, M., Xu, J., Hagio, T., Ichino, R., Li, L., & Cao, X. (2022). Simultaneous reduction and sequestration of hexavalent chromium by magnetic β-Cyclodextrin stabilized Fe3S4. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 431, 128592.
Leili, M., Fazlzadeh, M., & Bhatnagar, A. (2018). Green synthesis of nano-zero-valent iron from Nettle and Thyme leaf extracts and their application for the removal of cephalexin antibiotic from aqueous solutions. Environmental Technology, 39, 1158–1172.
Liu, A., Liu, J., Han, J., & Zhang, W.-X. (2017). ‘Evolution of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) in water: Microscopic and spectroscopic evidence on the formation of nano-and micro-structured iron oxides. Journal of hazardous materials, 322, 129–135.
Lyu, H., Tang, J., Huang, Y., Gai, L., Zeng, E. Y., Liber, K., & Gong, Y. (2017). Removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by a novel biochar supported nanoscale iron sulfide composite. Chemical Engineering Journal, 322, 516–524.
Madhavi, V., Prasad, T., Reddy, A. V. B., Reddy, B. R., & Madhavi, G. (2013). Application of phytogenic zerovalent iron nanoparticles in the adsorption of hexavalent chromium. Spectrochimica Acta Part a: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 116, 17–25.
Malaviya, P., & Singh, A. (2011). Physicochemical technologies for remediation of chromium-containing waters and wastewaters. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 41, 1111–1172.
Malaviya, P., & Singh, A. (2016). Bioremediation of chromium solutions and chromium containing wastewaters. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 42, 607–633.
Mehmood, S., Mahmood, M., Núñez-Delgado, A., Alatalo, J. M., Elrys, A. S., Rizwan, M., Weng, J., Li, W., & Ahmed, W. (2022). A green method for removing chromium (VI) from aqueous systems using novel silicon nanoparticles: Adsorption and interaction mechanisms. Environmental Research, 213, 113614.
Mitra, S., Sarkar, A., & Sen, S. (2017). Removal of chromium from industrial effluents using nanotechnology: A review. Nanotechnology for Environmental Engineering, 2, 1–14.
Nehdi, I., Omri, S., Khalil, M., & Al-Resayes, S. (2010). Characteristics and chemical composition of date palm (Phoenix canariensis) seeds and seed oil. Industrial Crops and Products, 32, 360–365.
Patiño-Ruiz, D. A., Meramo-Hurtado, S. I., González-Delgado, Á. D., & Herrera, A. (2021). Environmental sustainability evaluation of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized via green synthesis and the coprecipitation method: A comparative life cycle assessment study. ACS Omega, 6, 12410–12423.
Plachtová, P., Medrikova, Z., Zboril, R., Tucek, J., Varma, R. S., & Maršálek, B. (2018). Iron and iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized with green tea extract: Differences in ecotoxicological profile and ability to degrade malachite green. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 6, 8679–8687.
Rong, K., Wang, J., Zhang, Z., & Zhang, J. (2020). Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles using Korla fragrant pear peel extracts for the removal of aqueous Cr (VI). Ecological Engineering, 149, 105793.
Ukhurebor, K. E., Aigbe, U. O., Onyancha, R. B., Nwankwo, W., Osibote, O. A., Paumo, H. K., Ama, O. M., Adetunji, C. O., & Siloko, I. U. (2021). Effect of hexavalent chromium on the environment and removal techniques: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 280, 111809.
Wang, T., Liu, Y., Wang, J., Wang, X., Liu, B., & Wang, Y. (2019). In-situ remediation of hexavalent chromium contaminated groundwater and saturated soil using stabilized iron sulfide nanoparticles. Journal of Environmental Management, 231, 679–686.
Wu, J., Liang, Y., Bai, P., Zheng, S., & Chen, L. (2015). Microwave-assisted synthesis of pyrite FeS 2 microspheres with strong absorption performance. RSC Advances, 5, 65575–65582.
Wu, J., Wang, X.-B., & Zeng, R. J. (2017). Reactivity enhancement of iron sulfide nanoparticles stabilized by sodium alginate: Taking Cr (VI) removal as an example. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 333, 275–284.
Yang, Y., Chen, T., Sumona, M., Gupta, B. S., Sun, Y., Hu, Z., & Zhan, X. (2017). Utilization of iron sulfides for wastewater treatment: A critical review. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/technology, 16, 289–308.
Zhang, H., Peng, L., Chen, A., Shang, C., Lei, M., He, K., Luo, S., Shao, J., & Zeng, Q. (2019). Chitosan-stabilized FeS magnetic composites for chromium removal: Characterization, performance, mechanism, and stability. Carbohydrate Polymers, 214, 276–285.
Zheng, Y., Liu, S., Dai, C., Duan, Y., Makhinov, A. N., Hon, L. K., & Araruna Júnior, J. T. (2020). Study on the influence mechanism of underground mineral element Fe (II) on Cr (VI) transformation under subsurface and groundwater interaction zones. Environmental Sciences Europe, 32, 1–14.
Zhou, C., Han, C., Min, X., & Yang, T. (2022). Effect of different sulfur precursors on efficient chromium (VI) removal by ZSM-5 zeolite supporting sulfide nano zero-valent iron. Chemical Engineering Journal, 427, 131515.
Acknowledgements
We thank the Center of Advanced Materials Research at UoS for the assistance with the characterization of nanoparticles.
Funding
This work was funded by the University of Sharjah (UoS) grant number UoS-130508, PI: A. Shanableh.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing Interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Habib, F., Shanableh, A., Bhattacharjee, S. et al. Green Synthesis of Date Palm Seed Extract–Derived Iron Sulfide Nanoparticles for Effective Removal of Hexavalent Chromium. Water Air Soil Pollut 235, 63 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06875-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06875-8