Environment-Friendly Magnetic Fluids for Wastewater Remediation - Synthesis and Characterization

Magnetic nanostructured materials have been found to be very efficient in wastewater decontamination. Among the various synthesis methods, co-precipitation is a rapid and cost-effective technique for the manufacturing of magnetic nanoparticles; moreover, using green chemistry for their stabilization with natural non-toxic capping agents in aqueous solution, such materials become potential candidates as nanocatalytic formulations for water remediation, topic which represents the aim of the present study. Thus, three types of environment-friendly magnetic fluids were synthesized using the chemical precipitation route, the resulted samples being further characterized by various analytical techniques, in order to assess their microstructural features. The results revealed excellent stability in suspension of all samples, the magnetite nanoparticles exhibiting sizes in the nanoscale range with a relatively spherical shape and suitable magnetic properties. Such nanoparticle based products could be the right choice for magnetic responsive and recyclable materials used in the degradation of emerging pollutants from wastewaters.