ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Green synthesis of adsorbent nanoflowers for efficient removal of toxins

Nikita P. Devlekar and Pravin Shende

Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai, India

E-mail: shendepravin94@gmail.com

Received: 27 August 2021  Accepted: 13 December 2021

Abstract:

Nanoflowers (NFs) are flower-like nanoparticles showing morphological similarity to flower petal in microscopic view between the range of 100–500 nm. NFs show better adsorption efficiency due to high surface-to-volume ratio depending on the morphology and particle size. The objective of the present research work was to prepare adsorbent NFs and to evaluate their adsorption efficiency in comparison with activated charcoal for the removal of toxins. The study focused on NFs as potential adsorbent for the adsorption of chlorpyrifos. Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared using precipitation method, and adsorbent NFs were prepared using ionotropic gelation method. The prepared magnetic nanoparticles and adsorbent NFs were characterized using particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal behavior, nuclear magnetic resonance, and in vitro adsorption studies. The particle size and zeta potential of iron oxide nanoparticles were found to be 148.9 ± 1.36 nm and 8.93 ± 1.26 mV, and those of adsorbent NFs were 663.7 ± 39.63 nm and − 12.36 ± 1.05 mV, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed spherical shape of iron oxide nanoparticles and flower-like shape of adsorbent NFs. ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of iron oxide nanoparticles and adsorbent NFs. The adsorption of chlorpyrifos using NFs was maximum at pH 7 with the magnetic effect of 517 kOe. Comparative studies showed that NFs (20 mg) possess larger adsorption efficiency of 37.65 ± 0.28% than activated charcoal (400 mg) which showed 31.64 ± 0.44% adsorption for the removal of chlorpyrifos. Adsorbent NFs are a novel nanoformulation for better removal of toxins due to larger surface area and improved adsorption efficacy.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Iron oxide nanoparticles; Chlorpyrifos; Adsorption efficiency; Adsorbent nanoflowers; Activated charcoal

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-021-02020-z

Chemical Papers 76 (4) 2209–2219 (2022)