Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions

Heavy metal contamination in water resources presents a significant environmental and public health challenge, with lead being particularly concerning due to its toxicity and persistence. This study reports the green synthesis of Fe-Ti mixed oxide nanoparticles (NPs) using dextrose as a green source...

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Main Authors: Shamika P. W. R. Hewage, Harshica Fernando
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/9/1902
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author Shamika P. W. R. Hewage
Harshica Fernando
author_facet Shamika P. W. R. Hewage
Harshica Fernando
author_sort Shamika P. W. R. Hewage
collection DOAJ
description Heavy metal contamination in water resources presents a significant environmental and public health challenge, with lead being particularly concerning due to its toxicity and persistence. This study reports the green synthesis of Fe-Ti mixed oxide nanoparticles (NPs) using dextrose as a green source and investigates their effectiveness in lead removal from aqueous solutions. The synthesized NPs were characterized using XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM-EDS, and BET analysis, revealing an amorphous structure with a high surface area (292.89 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>) and mesoporous characteristics. XPS analysis confirmed the presence of mixed Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sup>2+</sup> valence states in a Ti<sup>4+</sup>-rich framework, creating diverse binding sites for lead adsorption. The material exhibited optimal lead removal at pH 5, with adsorption following pseudo-second-order kinetics (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.99) and a Langmuir isotherm model (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.98). Maximum adsorption capacity reached 25.10 mg g<sup>−1</sup> at 40 °C, showing endothermic behavior. The low point of zero charge (PZC, 0.22) and surface hydroxyl groups enabled efficient lead binding possibly through multiple mechanisms. Dose optimization studies established 6 g L<sup>−1</sup> as the optimal adsorbent concentration. The synergistic combination of iron’s affinity for heavy metals and titanium’s structural stability, coupled with environmentally friendly synthesis, resulted in a promising material for sustainable water treatment applications.
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spelling doaj-art-a9b8a54df5104ee4a24542123ee4a4e62025-08-20T02:24:49ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-04-01309190210.3390/molecules30091902Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous SolutionsShamika P. W. R. Hewage0Harshica Fernando1Department of Chemistry, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USADepartment of Chemistry, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USAHeavy metal contamination in water resources presents a significant environmental and public health challenge, with lead being particularly concerning due to its toxicity and persistence. This study reports the green synthesis of Fe-Ti mixed oxide nanoparticles (NPs) using dextrose as a green source and investigates their effectiveness in lead removal from aqueous solutions. The synthesized NPs were characterized using XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM-EDS, and BET analysis, revealing an amorphous structure with a high surface area (292.89 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>) and mesoporous characteristics. XPS analysis confirmed the presence of mixed Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sup>2+</sup> valence states in a Ti<sup>4+</sup>-rich framework, creating diverse binding sites for lead adsorption. The material exhibited optimal lead removal at pH 5, with adsorption following pseudo-second-order kinetics (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.99) and a Langmuir isotherm model (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.98). Maximum adsorption capacity reached 25.10 mg g<sup>−1</sup> at 40 °C, showing endothermic behavior. The low point of zero charge (PZC, 0.22) and surface hydroxyl groups enabled efficient lead binding possibly through multiple mechanisms. Dose optimization studies established 6 g L<sup>−1</sup> as the optimal adsorbent concentration. The synergistic combination of iron’s affinity for heavy metals and titanium’s structural stability, coupled with environmentally friendly synthesis, resulted in a promising material for sustainable water treatment applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/9/1902nanoparticlesleadadsorptiongreen synthesisdextroseheavy metal pollution
spellingShingle Shamika P. W. R. Hewage
Harshica Fernando
Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions
Molecules
nanoparticles
lead
adsorption
green synthesis
dextrose
heavy metal pollution
title Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions
title_full Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions
title_fullStr Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions
title_full_unstemmed Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions
title_short Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-Ti Mixed Nanoparticles for Enhanced Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions
title_sort green synthesis and characterization of fe ti mixed nanoparticles for enhanced lead removal from aqueous solutions
topic nanoparticles
lead
adsorption
green synthesis
dextrose
heavy metal pollution
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/9/1902
work_keys_str_mv AT shamikapwrhewage greensynthesisandcharacterizationoffetimixednanoparticlesforenhancedleadremovalfromaqueoussolutions
AT harshicafernando greensynthesisandcharacterizationoffetimixednanoparticlesforenhancedleadremovalfromaqueoussolutions