Using Iron/Nickel Coated Sand Nanocomposites Prepared by Eucalyptus Leaf Extract for Copper Removal from Aqueous Solutions

As heavy metals are commonly found in water bodies today, the need for an efficient method to remove these pollutants simultaneously has become increasingly important. This research involved coating sand with Fe/Ni nanoparticles created through an environmentally friendly method using eucalyptus leaf extract. Green synthesis of Fe/Ni coated sand was characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) analysis. The resulting Fe/Ni nanocomposite coated sand was then used to copper (Cu(II)) removal from water in batch experiments. The study examined five factors namely pH of solution, Cu(II) concentration, contact time, Fe/Ni coated sand dosage, and agitation speed that affected on the Cu(II) removal efficiency. Optimal values of this factors were found to be 200 rpm, pH 6, 130 minutes, 50 mg/L for Cu(II), and 0.5 g/50 mL Fe/Ni coated sand. The findings revealed that over 80% of Cu(II) was removed until the fifth cycle. This work could open up new possibilities for treating water contaminated with copper ions using eco-friendly composites made from waste.