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Uptake of Europium(III) from Water using Magnetite Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Carvalho Rui Silva,
DanieldaSilva Ana L.,
Trindade Tito
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.201500170
Subject(s) - europium , lanthanide , adsorption , aqueous solution , nanoparticle , surface modification , magnetite , chemistry , fluorescence , colloid , magnetic nanoparticles , ion , inorganic chemistry , magnetite nanoparticles , surface water , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , materials science , organic chemistry , environmental engineering , metallurgy , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
It is demonstrated that colloidal magnetite nanoparticles can be used as nanosorbents for lanthanide ions dissolved in water. In particular, a series of experiments are performed for the removal of Eu(III) in distinct analytical conditions and by applying an external magnet to collect the sorbents previously dispersed in water samples. Furthermore, strategies for surface chemistry functionalization are also investigated, aiming to investigate the effect of this parameter on the removal capacity of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. The supernatant solutions are monitored for the remaining amount of Eu(III) by fluorescence emission measurements in the presence of 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid as a sensitizer. The results demonstrate that neat Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are capable of capturing lanthanide ions (III) from aqueous solutions (pH 7), without need of surface modification, and for subsequent removal by magnetic separation. During the removal, efficiency is increased after modifying the particles' surfaces with silica and 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane; in alkaline medium (pH 10), there is complete removal regardless the type of nanosorbent used. This has been explained by the formation of insoluble Eu(III) species that adsorb strongly to the nanosorbents surfaces allowing their subsequent magnetic separation.