title: Synthesis and optimization of Fe₂O₃ nanofibers for chromate adsorption from contaminated water sources.
abstract: In this work, α-Fe2O3 nanofibers were synthesized via electrospinning and characterized to observe optimal morphological and dimensional properties towards chromate removal. The Fe2O3 nanofiber samples were tested in aqueous solutions containing chromate (CrO4(2-)) to analyze their adsorption capabilities and compare them with commercially-available Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Synthesized Fe2O3 nanofibers were observed with a variety of different average diameters, ranging from 23 to 63 nm, while having a constant average grain size at 34 nm, point zero charge at pH 7.1, and band gap at 2.2 eV. BET analysis showed an increase in specific surface area with decreasing average diameter, from 7.2 to 59.2 m(2)/g, due to the increased surface area-to-volume ratio with decreasing nanofiber size. Based on CrO4(2-) adsorption isotherms at pH 6, adsorption capacity of the Fe2O3 nanofibers increased with decreasing diameter, with the 23 nm sized nanofibers having an adsorption capacity of 90.9 mg/g, outperforming the commercially-available Fe2O3 nanoparticles by nearly 2-fold. Additionally, adsorption kinetics was also analyzed, increasing with decreasing nanofiber diameter. The enhanced performance of the nanofiber is suggested to be caused solely due to the increased surface area, in part by its size and morphology. Electrospun Fe2O3 nanofibers provide a promising solution for effective heavy metal removal through nanotechnology-integrated treatment systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nalbandian
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
authors.forename: Miluo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Fusion Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Kyeonggi-do 426-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choa
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cwiertny
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. Electronic address: myung@engr.ucr.edu.
authors.forename: Nosang V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Myung
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D002840:Chromates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002840:Chromates; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C000499:ferric oxide
keywords: Adsorption; Electrospinning; Heavy metals; Nanofibers; Nanoparticle synthesis; Nanotechnology; Water and wastewater treatment