Magnetically separable core-shell nanoparticles for simultaneous metal adsorption and dye degradation

Simultaneous metal extraction and dye degradation using a magnetically reusable nanomaterial is a greater contribution to a sustainable environment perspective. To accomplish this goal, superparamagnetic maghemite (Fe2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized and coated with zirconia as well as silica shell using the precipitation method. All the synthesized nanomaterials Fe2O3, Fe2O3@ZrO2, Fe2O3@SiO2, and Fe2O3@ZrO2@SiO2 were characterized by several techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Energy Dispersive Xray (EDX) spectroscopy. Adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity of synthesized nanomaterials were examined by ICP-MS and UV-Vis spectroscopy respectively. All synthesized photocatalysts exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for Pb(II) as well as photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. Moreover, simultaneous metal extraction and dye degradation was also reported. All four synthesized nanomaterials have excellent removal capability and can easily be removed from the solution by applying an external magnetic field. This research work will open new avenues for the single-step removal of inorganic and organic pollutants from wastewater, which could have potential applications in water purification.