Synthesis and Characterization of Nano Scale Zero-Valent Iron Supported on Mesoporous Silica

Nano scale zero-valent iron (NZVI) supported on mesoporous silica (MSN) was synthesized through liquid phase reduction route. in this method, FeCl3.6H2O solution was titrated with NaBH4 as reduction agent. Various colours of products from black to light brown were formed from this process due to the different intensity of oxidation process. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared through the activation of fumed silica with concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl). The mixture was refluxed at 90 °C with continuous stirring for 4 hours. This treatment increases the BET surface area from 61.0957 m/g to 125.8745 m/g. Preparation of NVZI supported by MSNs was conducted in alkaline solution. Amount of FeCl3.6H2O in aqueous solution and activated silica in certain ratio was mixed at room temperature. NaBH4 solutionwas added to the mixture in drop wise manner (3 ml/min) with vigorous stirring at room temperature. NVZI/MSN were characterized by XRD, BET, FTIR and FESEM. The capacity of NZVI/MSN in adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution was determined in series of batch experiments. Initial experiment showed the best performance of the adsorbent was achieved at FeCl3.6H2O to MSN weight ratio of 0.4. The equilibrium was reached after 60 min of adsorption. The optimum adsorption condition was achieved at initial concentration 15 mg/L of MB and initial pH solution 7 under room temperature. NZVI/MSN is found to be an effective adsorbent for removing MB from aqueous solution. Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak 26300 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Key Laboratory for Catalysis and Materials Science of the State Ethnic Affairs Commissions & Ministry of Education, South Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China. Corresponding author e-mail address: nugroho.dewayanto@gmail.com