Functionalized Halloysite-Nanochitin Magnetic Biocomposite for Pb(II) Decontamination from Aqueous Media: Synthesis, Kinetics, and Thermodynamic Analysis
Subject Areas : Environmental pollutionElaheh NaserNasir 1 , Hossein Parvaresh 2 , .Fatemeh S Mohseni-Shahri 3 * , Farid Moeinpour 4 , Mohsen Dehghani Ghanatghestani 5
1 - Department of Environmental Engineering, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
2 - Department of Environmental Engineering, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
3 -
4 - Department of Chemistry, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
5 - Department of Environmental Engineering, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Keywords: NiFe₂O₄-HNT-Chitin, Magnetic nanocomposite, Adsorption, Pb(II) adsorption,
Abstract :
Introduction: Water contamination with lead(II) ions poses a severe environmental and public health risk due to their high toxicity and irreversible effects, particularly on the nervous system. This study reports the synthesis and evaluation of a novel magnetic biocomposite based on halloysite nanotubes and chitin functionalized with nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄-HNT-Chitin) for the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. Halloysite and chitin were selected for their abundance, low cost, and biocompatibility, while surface functionalization and magnetic modification were employed to enhance adsorption performance and facilitate adsorbent recovery.
Materials and Methods: The synthesis involved acid activation of HNT, coating with NiFe₂O₄, and functionalization of HNT and chitin with APTES and CPTES, respectively, to obtain the NiFe₂O₄-HNT-Chitin composite. Structural and morphological features were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, EDS, and VSM. Batch adsorption experiments investigated the effects of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial Pb(II) concentration, ionic strength, and temperature. Kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic analyses were performed.
Results and Discussion: FT-IR and XRD confirmed the successful incorporation of NiFe₂O₄ and functional groups onto HNT and chitin. SEM and TEM images revealed NiFe₂O₄ and chitin coatings on nanotube surfaces, yielding a rough texture with a BET surface area of 81.33m²/g. Under optimal conditions (pH6, 0.05 g/100mL, 25 °C), equilibrium was achieved within 10 min, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 370.37 ± 5.12 (n=3, p<0.05) mg/g. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model (R²=0.999), and the isotherm data fit well to the Langmuir model (R²=0.996), indicating monolayer chemisorption. The difference between the models was statistically significant (p<0.05). Thermodynamic analysis showed the process to be exothermic, spontaneous, and accompanied by decreased surface disorder (ΔH=–117.9kJ/mol, negative ΔG). Higher ionic strength negatively affected removal efficiency. The adsorbent maintained its high efficiency after four adsorption-desorption cycles, and the decrease in efficiency in the fourth cycle compared to the first cycle was not statistically significant (p> 0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the NiFe₂O₄-HNT-Chitin composite, combining the tubular structure of halloysite, the functional groups of chitin, and the magnetic properties of NiFe2O4, represents a green, efficient, and magnetically recoverable adsorbent for Pb(II) removal from water. Its high adsorption capacity, rapid equilibrium, durability over multiple cycles, and ease of separation make it a promising candidate for practical applications in the treatment of heavy-metal-contaminated water.
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