Synthesis of mesoporous maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanostructures with enhanced arsenic removal efficiency

Abstract

We successfully developed mesoporous γ-Fe2O3 structures with a specific surface area of 35.7 m2 g−1 through atmospheric calcination of composite Fe3O4/phenol-formaldehyde resin structures, which were prepared by the addition of phenol during a hydrothermal process. For comparison, aggregated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with a specific surface area of 29.6 m2 g−1 were also prepared. The mesoporous γ-Fe2O3 structures were used to adsorb arsenic ions, and the maximum uptake of arsenic ions was calculated to be 73.2 mg g−1, which is higher than that of the aggregated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (32.3 mg g−1) because of the larger specific surface area, pore volume and pore sizes of the mesoporous γ-Fe2O3 structures. In this study, we developed a feasible approach to wastewater treatment, including the removal of arsenic ions.