Detection, removal and recovery of heavy metals with functionalized magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

Currently, with the advent of nanoscience and nanotechnology, magnetic nanoparticles have found numerous applications. It is possible, by means of chemical reactions, introduce modifications on the surface of nanoparticles, functionalizing them and giving them a variety of technological applications, for example, in the decontamination of polluted waters. Many research groups have dedicated efforts to the development of new methods to remove heavy metal ions in order to improve traditional approaches (such as precipitation, coagulation, solvent extraction, reduction, neutralization, electrochemical separation through membranes, ion exchange and adsorption). However, few studies are reported on the use of magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with complexing groups in decontamination processes. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the efficiency of a procedure based on the use of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and a magnetic field for the remediation of industrial wastewater containing Cu2+, Pb2+ e Cd2+. The concentration of heavy metals will be monitored before and after the remediation process and microelectrodes will be used to carry out these measurements in-situ. (AU)