Synthesis and characterization of magnetic oxide nanoparticles and corresponding thin films for wastewaters treatment

Abstract Industrial wastewater can be properly treated using nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of three series of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and corresponding thin films, used for the degradation of organic compounds and removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. The samples were obtained by co-precipitation from a ferric (Fe3+) and ferrous (Fe2+) ions solution in a molar ratio of 2:1, at temperatures between 80-95 °C. The characterization of the samples was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The magnetic nanoparticles were deposited on glass substrates by the centrifugal coating technique and the optical and magneto-optical activity was investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism technique (MCD). The effect of the investigated samples on the decomposition under UV irradiation of organic dyes was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Our preliminary results have shown that the magnetite and maghemite MNPs can be effective in UV degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye.