Surfactant-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles for Efficient Iron Removal in Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Metal fabrication industries generate wastewater rich in metal ions, particularly iron, posing challenges for conventional treatment methods. Traditional oxidation and precipitation techniques often fall short of meeting discharge standards set by the Department of Environment (DOE), while also contributing to excessive sludge formation. In response to this issue, this study investigates the use of magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) as an alternative agent for iron sequestration and sludge reduction in industrial wastewater. MNPs were synthesized via co-precipitation at 70 °C and modified with various coating agents namely cetyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to enhance their performance. The coated MNPs were then evaluated for iron removal efficiency through time-based analysis and surface characterization. Among the tested variants, CTAB-coated MNPs demonstrated the highest removal efficiency of 90% within 100 minutes. These findings highlight the potential of surfactant-modified MNPs as an effective and sustainable solution for metal ion removal, offering improved compliance with environmental regulations and reduced sludge volumes in wastewater treatment.