Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods

Abstract This study presents a facile, cost-effective hydrothermal transformation of natural lateritic iron ore into hematite nanorods, offering significant economic and technical benefits for the remediation of toxic arsenic ions. Lateritic iron ore was subjected to alkaline modification for differ...

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Main Authors: Dina Mostafa, Nabila Shehata, Mashael D. Alqahtani, May N. Bin Jumah, Nahaa M. Alotaibi, Noof A. Alenazi, Hassan A. Rudayni, Ahmed A. Allam, Wail Al Zoubi, Mostafa R. Abukhadra
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94802-8
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author Dina Mostafa
Nabila Shehata
Mashael D. Alqahtani
May N. Bin Jumah
Nahaa M. Alotaibi
Noof A. Alenazi
Hassan A. Rudayni
Ahmed A. Allam
Wail Al Zoubi
Mostafa R. Abukhadra
author_facet Dina Mostafa
Nabila Shehata
Mashael D. Alqahtani
May N. Bin Jumah
Nahaa M. Alotaibi
Noof A. Alenazi
Hassan A. Rudayni
Ahmed A. Allam
Wail Al Zoubi
Mostafa R. Abukhadra
author_sort Dina Mostafa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study presents a facile, cost-effective hydrothermal transformation of natural lateritic iron ore into hematite nanorods, offering significant economic and technical benefits for the remediation of toxic arsenic ions. Lateritic iron ore was subjected to alkaline modification for different durations (12 h (HM12), 24 h (HM24), 36 h (HM36), and 48 h (HM48)), leading to morphological evolution into nanorod structures (2D) with variations in surface area, crystallinity, and adsorption efficacy for arsenate (As(V)) ions. Comprehensive characterization confirmed significant structural and physicochemical modifications. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a shift in peak positions and intensity reduction, indicative of lattice strain and increased surface defects. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed modifications in the Fe–O coordination, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis demonstrated a notable increase in surface area, with HM36 exhibiting the highest value (154.7 m2/g). Adsorption experiments indicated that HM36 achieved the highest As(V) removal capacity (151.4 mg/g), followed by HM48 (138.2 mg/g), HM24 (125.4 mg/g), and HM12 (113.8 mg/g). Advanced equilibrium modeling revealed steric and energetic parameters governing the adsorption mechanism, with HM36 exhibiting the highest density of active sites (Nm = 67.9 mg/g). Each active site accommodated up to three As(V) ions, emphasizing the significance of multi-ionic interactions and vertical stacking at the adsorption interface. The adsorption energy, evaluated using both classic models (< 4 kJ/mol) and advanced statistical physics models (< 9 kJ/mol), confirmed a predominantly physical and exothermic adsorption mechanism. Thermodynamic evaluations further supported the spontaneous and favorable nature of As(V) adsorption across all modified hematite derivatives. The ease of synthesis, low-cost natural precursor, improved adsorption efficiency, and recyclability highlight the potential application of these hematite nanorods in real-world wastewater remediation. The findings suggest that HM36 is a highly efficient and scalable adsorbent for arsenic removal, offering sustainable solutions for industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-82ff2b5a23e34a9dbf5a6110fca079aa2025-08-20T03:53:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115112210.1038/s41598-025-94802-8Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periodsDina Mostafa0Nabila Shehata1Mashael D. Alqahtani2May N. Bin Jumah3Nahaa M. Alotaibi4Noof A. Alenazi5Hassan A. Rudayni6Ahmed A. Allam7Wail Al Zoubi8Mostafa R. Abukhadra9Environmental Science and Industrial Development Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences, Beni-Suef UniversityEnvironmental Science and Industrial Development Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences, Beni-Suef UniversityDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz UniversityDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic UniversityDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic UniversityMaterials Electrochemistry Laboratory, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Yeungnam UniversityMaterials Technologies and their Applications Lab, Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef UniversityAbstract This study presents a facile, cost-effective hydrothermal transformation of natural lateritic iron ore into hematite nanorods, offering significant economic and technical benefits for the remediation of toxic arsenic ions. Lateritic iron ore was subjected to alkaline modification for different durations (12 h (HM12), 24 h (HM24), 36 h (HM36), and 48 h (HM48)), leading to morphological evolution into nanorod structures (2D) with variations in surface area, crystallinity, and adsorption efficacy for arsenate (As(V)) ions. Comprehensive characterization confirmed significant structural and physicochemical modifications. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a shift in peak positions and intensity reduction, indicative of lattice strain and increased surface defects. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed modifications in the Fe–O coordination, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis demonstrated a notable increase in surface area, with HM36 exhibiting the highest value (154.7 m2/g). Adsorption experiments indicated that HM36 achieved the highest As(V) removal capacity (151.4 mg/g), followed by HM48 (138.2 mg/g), HM24 (125.4 mg/g), and HM12 (113.8 mg/g). Advanced equilibrium modeling revealed steric and energetic parameters governing the adsorption mechanism, with HM36 exhibiting the highest density of active sites (Nm = 67.9 mg/g). Each active site accommodated up to three As(V) ions, emphasizing the significance of multi-ionic interactions and vertical stacking at the adsorption interface. The adsorption energy, evaluated using both classic models (< 4 kJ/mol) and advanced statistical physics models (< 9 kJ/mol), confirmed a predominantly physical and exothermic adsorption mechanism. Thermodynamic evaluations further supported the spontaneous and favorable nature of As(V) adsorption across all modified hematite derivatives. The ease of synthesis, low-cost natural precursor, improved adsorption efficiency, and recyclability highlight the potential application of these hematite nanorods in real-world wastewater remediation. The findings suggest that HM36 is a highly efficient and scalable adsorbent for arsenic removal, offering sustainable solutions for industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94802-8LateriteHematiteNano-rodsAdsorptionPollutantsAdvanced equilibrium
spellingShingle Dina Mostafa
Nabila Shehata
Mashael D. Alqahtani
May N. Bin Jumah
Nahaa M. Alotaibi
Noof A. Alenazi
Hassan A. Rudayni
Ahmed A. Allam
Wail Al Zoubi
Mostafa R. Abukhadra
Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods
Scientific Reports
Laterite
Hematite
Nano-rods
Adsorption
Pollutants
Advanced equilibrium
title Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods
title_full Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods
title_fullStr Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods
title_full_unstemmed Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods
title_short Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods
title_sort steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods
topic Laterite
Hematite
Nano-rods
Adsorption
Pollutants
Advanced equilibrium
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94802-8
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