Synthesis and characterization of SrFe12O19/CoFe2O4 for the adsorption of chromium (VI) in aqueous solutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65093/aci.v17.n2.2026.53Keywords:
hexaferrite, magnetic materials, composites, removalAbstract
In this work, a magnetic composite of strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) was synthesized using the polymer complex (Pechini) method to remove chromium VI from contaminated water. The structure, morphology, and chemical characterization were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Active sites were measured using the Boehm titration method, and the isoelectric point (IEP) was determined using zeta potential. Adsorption experiments were carried out at pH 2 and 25 °C, with Cr (VI) concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 mg/L. The results show that the magnetic composite has a particle size of 251 nm and a mixing ratio of 1:1 between strontium hexaferrite and cobalt ferrite. The maximum adsorption capacity for chromium (VI) was 19.72 mg/g, while the Langmuir model predicts a theoretical adsorption capacity of 69.29 mg/g. Due to its high adsorption capacity, excellent magnetic properties that ease material recovery, and low production costs, this material presents a promising option for removing chromium (VI) from contaminated water.
Downloads
References
Boehm, H.P. (1966). Chemical Identification of Surface Groups. Advances in Catalysis, 16 (C), 179–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-0564(08)60354-5
Dong, F.X., Yan, L., Zhou, X.H., Huang, S.T., Liang, J.Y., et al. (2021). Simultaneous adsorption of Cr(VI) and phenol by biochar-based iron oxide composites in water: Performance, kinetics and mechanism. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 416, 125930. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2021.125930
El-Masry, M.M., & Ramadan, R. (2024). Flash combustion prepared Sm and Co doped Sr hexaferrite for environmental applications. Adsorption, 30, 2017–2035. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-024-00532-0
Flores-Rojas, A.I., Díaz-Flores, P.E., Medellín-Castillo, N.A., Berber-Mendoza, M.S., Cisneros-Ontiveros, H.G. & Navarro-Frómeta, A.E. (2025). Remoción de ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético en solución acuosa mediante biomateriales a base de quitosano y residuos de naranja. Avances en Ciencia e Ingeniería, 16 (2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.65093/aci.v16.n2.2025.26
Huang, J.L., Li, Z.Y., Mao, J.Y., Chen, Z.M., Liu, H.L., Liang, G Y., et al. (2024). Contamination and health risks brought by arsenic, lead and cadmium in a water-soil-plant system nearby a non-ferrous metal mining area. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115873
Jasim, S.A., Abdelbasset, W.K., Hachem, K., Kadhim, M.M., Yasin, G., Obaid, M.A., et al. (2022). Novel Gd2O3/SrFe12O19@Schiff base chitosan (Gd/SrFe@SBCs) nanocomposite as a novel magnetic sorbent for the removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution. Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society, 69 (7), 1079–1087. https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.202200013
Kaur, P., Singh, S., Kumar, V., Tikoo, K.B., Chudasama, B., Kaushik, A., et al. (2019). Interesting makeover of strontium hexaferrites for environment remediation from excellent photocatalysts to outstanding adsorbents via inclusion of Mn3+ into the lattice. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 791, 508–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JALLCOM.2019.03.312
Lu, Z., Shi, Y., Yue, C. & Wang, X. (2026a). Study on the high-efficiency adsorption mechanism and performance of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and hydroxy-iron pillared modified montmorillonite granules for Cr(VI) in water. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 311, 119880. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOENV.2026.119880
Lu, Z., Zhang, X., Li, X., Youssef, M., Tamjidur, R.S., Wang, G., et al. (2026b). Synergistic adsorption and reduction for efficient Cr (VI) removal by sulfur-functionalized magnetic porous biochar. Desalination and Water Treatment, 325, 101643. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DWT.2026.101643
Mutabazi, E., Qiu, X., Song, Y., Li, C., Jia, X., Hakizimana, I., et al. (2024). Cr(VI) adsorption on activated carbon, sludge derived biochar, and peanut shells derived biochar: Performance, mechanisms during the reuse process and site energy distribution analysis. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 57, 104679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104679
Neolaka, Y.A.B., Lawa, Y., Naat, J., Riwu, A.A.P., Mango, A.W., Darmokoesoemo, H., et al. (2022). Efficiency of activated natural zeolite-based magnetic composite (ANZ-Fe3O4) as a novel adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 18, 2896–2909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.03.153
Niculescu, A.-G., Mihaiescu, B., Mihaiescu, D., Hadibarata, T. & Grumezescu, A. (2024). An Updated Overview of Magnetic Composites for Water Decontamination. Polymers, 16 (5), 709. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16050709
Pechini, M.P. (1967). Method of preparing lead and alkaline earth titanates and niobates and coating method using the same to form a capacitor. United States Patent Office, 3,330,697A.
Prakash, J., & Verma, A. (2024). Hexagonal nanoferrites for application in wastewater remediation. In Nanostructured Hexagonal Ferrites (pp. 351–362). Elsevier. ISBN 9780443185373. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-18537-3.00006-7
Pullar, R. C. (2012). Hexagonal ferrites: A review of the synthesis, properties and applications of hexaferrite ceramics. Progress in Materials Science, 57 (7), 1191–1334. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2012.04.001
Rajani, M.R., Ravishankar, R., Srinidhi Raghavan, M., Priya, S., Jyothi, M.S., Ahmed, S., et al. (2025). Engineered ZnFe2O4/C nanocomposite for efficient hexavalent chromium removal. Hybrid Advances, 11, 100518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hybadv.2025.100518
Ray, S.S., Gusain, R. & Kumar, N. (2020). Adsorption equilibrium isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics. Carbon Nanomaterial-Based Adsorbents for Water Purification, 101–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821959-1.00005-2
Revellame, E.D., Fortela, D.L., Sharp, W., Hernandez, R. & Zappi, M.E. (2020). Adsorption kinetic modeling using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order rate laws: A review. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 1, 100032. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CLET.2020.100032
Segovia-Sandoval, S.J., Ocampo-Pérez, R., Berber-Mendoza, M.S., Leyva-Ramos, R., Jacobo-Azuara, A. & Medellín-Castillo, N.A. (2018). Walnut shell treated with citric acid and its application as biosorbent in the removal of Zn(II). Journal of Water Process Engineering, 25, 45–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JWPE.2018.06.007
Sharma, P., Singh, S.P., Parakh, S.K. & Tong, Y. W. (2022). Health hazards of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) and its microbial reduction. Bioengineered, 13 (3), 4923–4938. https://doi.org/10.1080/21655979.2022.2037273
Urbano-Peña, M. de los Á., Berber-Mendoza, M.S., Palomares-Sánchez, S.A., Gutiérrez-Castañeda, E.J. & Hurtado-López, G.F. (2024). Magnetic compounds based on strontium hexaferrite for the adsorption of lead in contaminated water. Ceramics International, 50 (9), 14216–14222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.01.328
Velarde, L., Nabavi, M.S., Escalera, E., Antti, M.L. & Akhtar, F. (2023). Adsorption of heavy metals on natural zeolites: A review. Chemosphere, 328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138508
Wan, J., Yu, M., Bi, W., Sun, Y., Wang, W., Hou, Y., et al. (2024). Research on chromium removal mechanism by electrochemical method from wastewater. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 68, 106447. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JWPE.2024.106447
Wang, N., Hsu, C., Zhu, L., Tseng, S. & Hsu, J. P. (2013). Influence of metal oxide nanoparticles concentration on their zeta potential. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 407, 22–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCIS.2013.05.058
Wu, J., Annath, H., Chen, H. & Mangwandi, C. (2023). Upcycling tea waste particles into magnetic adsorbent materials for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Particuology, 80, 115–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PARTIC.2022.11.017
Yi, Y., Huang, Z., Lu, B., Xian, J., Tsang, E. P., Cheng, W., et al. (2020). Magnetic biochar for environmental remediation: A review. Bioresource Technology, 298, 122468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122468
Zhao, D., Liu, Y. & Wu, C. (2023). Adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) polluted water by Fe3O4@SiO2-APTMS nanocomposites prepared in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation for sustainable water resources utilization. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 96, 106439. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ULTSONCH.2023.106439
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.






