Novel nanostructures adsorb toxic ions from polluted water

(Nanowerk News) Researchers from Sharif University of Technology synthesized a set of zeolite modified nanostructures able to entrap toxic ions of heavy metals in water ("Removal of toxic heavy metal ions from waste water by functionalized magnetic core-zeolitic shell nanocomposites as adsorbents").
This research has direct applications in petrochemical wastewater purification systems. The process consists of a multi-stage synthesis of core (magnetic) – shell (zeolite) nanostructures and the investigation of their applications to eliminate toxic ions of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium from polluted water.
Dr. Mohsen Padarvand explained the steps of the research. “This project includes hydrothermal synthesis of nickel ferrite magnetic cores; their doping with silica to prepare the bed for the growth of the zeolite layer on its surface; hydrothermal growth of zeolite layers in the presence of organic templates; and heavy ion elimination test from polluted waters.”
Results of the research showed the synthesized nanocomposites' high ability to eliminate lead and cadmium ions from polluted waters. Results also demonstrated that surface modification with organic functions has significant effect on the efficiency of the process.
Successful growth of zeolite layers with desired structural networks on magnetic cores and the type of organic functions used in surface modification processes in order to increase the efficiency are among other important achievements of this research.
Source: INIC