Modification of iron magnetite nanoparticles with oleic acid for the removal of malachite green fro aqueous solutions

Literature reports show that magnetic nanoparticles of iron oxide (magnetite) accumulate in the aquatic environment and application of these nanoparticles in unmodified form reduce its effective surface area [1]. For this reason, investigation about modifying the surfaces of these nanoparticles has been achieved with some organic and inorganic compounds. Preliminary evaluations showed that in most cases, the magnetic nanoparticles have been modified with inorganic compounds. However, despite the great efficiency of organic modifiers, the focus on these compounds has been less than the inorganic materials. In the present work, the oleic acid with hydrophobic properties has been used to modify the surface of magnetite nanoparticles to produce a new nanocomposite. Also, the performance of Fe3O4 – oleic acid nanocomposite on removal of malachite green was studied. Checking out of different factors such as pH, ionic strength and time to remove malachite green showed that the amount of 50 mg of Fe3O4 – oleic acid nanocomposite at pH=7 is able to remove about 100% of malachite green. Isotherm absorption and kinetics were studied for this adsorbent.