ABSTRACT
The prepared maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanorods were considered as an adsorbent for decontamination of Cr(VI) and F- ions from aqueous media with extreme adsorption capacities of 15.48 and 3.07 mg/g. The M-H hysteresis loop of the synthesized rod shaped (γ-Fe2O3) nanomaterial was acquired on a Lakeshore 7410 series vibrating sample magnetometer at a temperature of 300 K and a magnetic field of 1.5 T. The chemical composition and binding energy of the (γ-Fe2O3) nanorods, was studied using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The effect of contact time on the adsorption of chromium (VI) and fluoride by the synthesized (γ-Fe2O3) nanorod was studied using 20 mg/L of 10 mL chromium (VI) solution and 10 mg/L of 20 ml of fluoride solution. The zero-point charge (pHpzc) of (γ-Fe2O3) is around 6.6 and here adsorbent surface charge is neutral. Below the pHpzc, the surface of the adsorbent is positively charged, and hence anionic adsorption can occur by simple electrostatic attraction.
