Synthesis and Characterization of Tannic Acid Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles containing tannic acid have been synthesized using coprecipitation and post-precipitation methods. The synthesized products were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffused reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FTIR and XPS results reveal the presence of metal complexing groups in the solid-phases. The application of the novel nanoparticles was demonstrated in the separation of Cu2+ ions from a synthetic mixture of Cu2+—Zn2+ solution (pH 4.5 and ionic strength of 10 mM). Nanoparticles synthesized by post-precipitation method demonstrate higher binding capacity for Cu2+ ions in the presence of Zn2+ ions relative to nanoparticles synthesized by coprecipitation method. The novel nanoadsorbents have potential applications for the removal and recovery of toxic metal ions from aqueous systems.