Removal, preconcentration and determination of Mo(VI) from water and wastewater samples using maghemite nanoparticles

Removal and recovery of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions were investigated using maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles. Combination of nanoparticle adsorption and magnetic separation was used to the removal and recovery of Mo(VI) from water and wastewater solutions. The nanoscale maghemite with mean diameter of 50 nm was synthesized by reduction coprecipitation method followed by aeration oxidation. Various factors influencing the adsorption of Mo(VI), e.g. pH, temperature, initial concentration, and coexisting common ions were studied. Adsorption reached equilibrium within <10 min and was independent of initial concentration of Mo(VI). Studies were performed at different pH values to find out the pH at which maximum adsorption occurred. The maximum adsorption occurred at pHs between 4.0 and 6.0. The Langmuir adsorption capacity (q_max) was found to be 33.4 mg Mo(VI)/g of the adsorbent. The results showed that nanoparticle (γ-Fe₂O₃) is suitable for the removal of Mo(VI), as molybdate, from water and wastewater samples. The adsorbed Mo(VI) was then desorbed and determined spectrophotometrically using bromopyrogallol red as a complexation reagent. This allows the determination of Mo(VI) in the range 1.0–86.0 ng mL⁻¹.