Removal of thorium from water using modified magnetite nanoparticles capped with rosin amidoxime

The present study describes synthesis and characterization of diacrylamidoxime triaethylenetetralevopimaramide (DPAO) and its use in surface modification of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles to obtain DPAO-based magnetic nanoparticles (DPAO-MNPs). The prepared composite was characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, XRD, DLS, TEM, SEM and EDX. Vibrating sample magnetometer is used to determine the magnetic properties of DPAO-MNPs. Results of analyses indicate that the surface of Fe3O4 was successfully capped with DPAO. The adsorption features of the prepared composite towards thorium ions were investigated in a batch system. Kinetic study of Th(IV) adsorption on DPAO-MNPs indicate the adsorption equilibrium achieved within 150 min and is pH dependent. The adsorption results were described mathematically using Langmuir and Freundlich sorption models. The composite showed a maximum Th(IV) loading capacity of 666 mg/g at 25 °C and pH 4. The thermodynamic results indicated that the adsorption process was thermodynamically favorable, spontaneous and endothermic nature. The obtained results suggest that DPAO-MNPs composite may be considered as a potential fast, effective and simple adsorbent for sorption thorium(IV) from water.