Abstract
In this research, CuFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation methods and modified by coating with thiophene for removal of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution. CuFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles, with and without thiophene, were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Contact time, adsorbent dose, solution pH, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm and recyclability were studied. The maximum adsorption capacity towards Hg(2+) ions was 7.53 and 208.77 mg/g for CuFe(2)O(4) and CuFe(2)O(4)@Polythiophene composite, respectively. Modification of CuFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles with thiophene revealed an enhanced adsorption towards Hg(2+) removal more than CuFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles. The promising adsorption performance of Hg(2+) ions by CuFe(2)O(4)@Polythiophene composite generates from soft acid-soft base strong interaction between sulfur group of thiophene and Hg(II) ions. Furthermore, CuFe(2)O(4)@Polythiophene composite has both high stability and reusability due to its removal efficiency, has no significant decrease after five adsorption-desorption cycles and can be easily removed from aqueous solution by external magnetic field after adsorption experiments took place. Therefore, CuFe(2)O(4)@Polythiophene composite is applicable for removal Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution and may be suitable for removal other heavy metals.