Publication

Magnetite-activated carbon nanocomposite derived from steel waste and rice husks for trace removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from drinking water: Synthesis, characterization, and adsorption performance

2026

Abstract

Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination of drinking water at trace concentrations (μg/L) poses severe public health risks, particularly in resource-limited countries. This study reports the synthesis, characterization, and adsorption performance of a magnetite-rice husk activated carbon (Fe 3 O 4 @RHAC) nanocomposite derived from two waste streams — iron oxide waste powder (IOWP) from a steel-rolling mill and rice husk — for simultaneous trace-level Pb(II) and Cd(II) removal from drinking water. Fe 3 O 4 @RHAC was characterized by BET analysis, SEM/TEM, XRD, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy, and by vibrating sample magnetometry, revealing a surface area of 440.38 m 2 /g, a pH at the point of zero charge of 5.5, and superparamagnetic behaviour. Batch experiments identified optimal conditions of pH 6 and adsorbent dosage of 50 mg/L, yielding removal efficiencies of 95.57% for Pb(II) and 93.93% for Cd(II) at 100 μg/L. Kinetics followed the pseudo-first-order model; equilibrium data conformed to the Sips isotherm with maximum capacities of 11,855 μg/g for Pb(II) and 13,838 μg/g for Cd(II). Thermodynamic analysis confirmed endothermic, spontaneous adsorption driven by entropy gain. Competing ion studies showed divalent cations caused greater interference than monovalent ions, yet distribution coefficients remained high (Kd > 98 L/g) under competitive conditions. Adsorption proceeded via a multi-mechanistic pathway dominated by electrostatic attraction and outer-sphere surface complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups, supplemented by ion exchange. The adsorbent retained over 80% capacity across five consecutive HCl regeneration cycles. Applied to four real drinking water sources in Uganda, the nanocomposite achieved WHO-guideline-compliant Pb in three of four cases and WHO-compliant Cd in all applicable cases. This work establishes a circular-economy pathway for converting steel and agricultural wastes into high-performance, magnetically recoverable drinking water treatment materials.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4734d198-f954-42e8-91e3-5af72d1ac3c5

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4734d198-f954-42e8-91e3-5af72d1ac3c5

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Rice hulls

Rice hulls (or rice husks) are the hard protecting coverings of grains of rice. In addition to protecting rice during the growing season, rice hulls can be put to use as building material, fertilizer, insulation material, or fuel. Rice hulls are part of the chaff of the rice. Rice hulls are part of the rice seed. The hull protects the grain during the growing season from pests. The hull is formed from hard materials, including opaline silica and lignin.

Rice

Rice is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or, less commonly, O. glaberrima (African rice). The name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera Zizania and Porteresia, both wild and domesticated, although the term may also be used for primitive or uncultivated varieties of Oryza. As a cereal grain, domesticated rice is the most widely consumed staple food for over half of the world's human population, particularly in Asia and Africa.

Brown rice

Brown rice is a whole grain rice with the inedible outer hull removed. This kind of rice sheds its outer hull or husk but the bran and germ layer remain on, constituting the brown or tan colour of rice. White rice is the same grain without the hull, the bran layer, and the cereal germ. Red rice, gold rice, and black rice (also called purple rice) are all whole rices with differently pigmented outer layers. Brown rice generally needs longer cooking times than white rice, unless it is broken or flour blasted (which perforates the bran without removing it).

Related publications (4)

Magnetite-activated carbon nanocomposite derived from steel waste and rice husks for trace removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from drinking water: Synthesis, characterization, and adsorption performance

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