Although relatively scarce, arsenic is ubiquitous and is a major health hazard. For effective uptake of arsenic from water, this study utilized iron-based particles for adsorption and removal, thus allowing for potential development of inexpensive filtration systems. Iron oxide nanoparticles, approximately 10 nm in size, were synthesized using the single polymer chain-collapse method, resulting in a highly versatile active ingredient that can be implemented in various forms. A comparison of such configurations will be presented, including the deployment of nanoparticles as dispersion in arsenic solution or as a nanocomposite. In filtration methods involving dispersed nanoparticles, magnetite particles were removed magnetically while others were removed using salt precipitation. In methods involving nanocomposites, particles were embedded in polyelectrolyte multilayers or as standalone iron oxide-polymer solid. This technology presents a versatile method for the deployment of iron oxide nanoparticles suitable for inexpensive arsenic filtration in various settings.

Polymer-collapsed iron oxide nanoparticles for arsenic uptake

248th National Meeting (2014)

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