PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOSORBENTS BASED ON MWCNT-MAGNETITE-HYDROXYAPATITE COMPOSITES AND ITS POTENTIAL APPLICATION IN THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS

Abstract

In the present study, new biosorbents based on magnetite (Fe3 O4 ), hydroxyapatite (HAp) and multiple-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) composites were prepared. The materials were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), raman spectroscopy and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The synthesized magnetite presented a ferromagnetic behavior. HAp was smaller by hydrothermal synthesis. In addition, the possible use of the composite involving the 3 starting materials (Fe3O4/MWCNT/HAp) in the removal of a heavy metal such as As(V) in aqueous solution was evaluated, taking into account the influence of factors such as pH, adsorbent mass and contact time. The maximum values of percentage of removal of this metal (greater than 85 %) were obtained under conditions of pH 6, adsorbent dose of 0. 5 g L-1 and a contact time of 2 hours.