Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Goethite Nanoparticles Used for Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solution

The microwave-assisted synthesis of goethite nanoparticles has been studied. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. Goethite rod-like nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized in 10 min of microwave treating at 100 °C. Particle size is in the range from 30 to 60 nm in width and from 200 to 350 nm in length. BET analysis indicated that the surface area of the product is 158.31 m²g^-1. The feasibility of Cr(VI) removal fromaqueous solution depends on the pH of the solution and contact time. The maximum adsorptionis reached at pH 4.0 and 540 min of contact time. The adsorption kinetics was analyzedby the pseudo-first- and second-order models and the results reveal that the adsorption process obeys the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption data were fitted well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.