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Graphene oxide MgFe2O4 nanocomposites for Cr(VI) remediation: a comparative modeling study

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Abstract

The article describes the synthesis and application of magnesium ferrite nanoparticles (MgFe2O4 NPs) and engineered MgFe2O4 nanocomposites (NCs) by graphene oxide as green and easy separable magnetic adsorbents in removal of Cr(VI) from environmental pollutant. The statistical study of the adsorption process and optimization was accomplished with central composite design method of response surface methodology (RSM) approach. The optimum conditions, predicted by RSM, were achieved at pH, contact time, initial Cr(VI) concentration and adsorbent dosage of 2, 60 min, 40 mg L−1 and 0.15 g, respectively. The removal of Cr(VI) under optimum situations was 97%, and the achieved result in practice was found to be 99%. Pareto analysis suggests the importance relative order of the factors as: pH > concentration of Cr(VI) > time > adsorbent dosage under optimized situations. The engineered nanocomposite was further analyzed for real groundwater samples, and 92% Cr(VI) remediation was resulted. The study is the first study for efficient Cr(VI) remediation from real groundwater sample using novel engineered nanocomposites and has potential to have societal as well as industrial impact in the form of process or product development.

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Acknowledgements

Especial thanks to Iranian Nanotechnology Initiative Council for the encouraging support. SR and ND are acknowledging Director, Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, for constant encouragement and support.

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Correspondence to Seyed Ali Hosseini, Shivendu Ranjan or Nandita Dasgupta.

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Hosseini, S.A., Talebipour, S., Neyestani, M.R. et al. Graphene oxide MgFe2O4 nanocomposites for Cr(VI) remediation: a comparative modeling study. Nanotechnol. Environ. Eng. 3, 10 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41204-018-0039-x

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