Synthesis of clay-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron using green tea extract for the removal of phosphorus from aqueous solutions

This study addresses the synthesis of nanoscale zero-valent iron(n ZVI) in the presence of natural bentonite(B-n ZVI) using green tea extract. The natural bentonite and B-n ZVI were then applied for the removal of phosphorus from aqueous solutions at various concentrations, p H levels and contact time. The desorption of phosphorus(P) from adsorbents was done immediately after sorption at the maximum initial concentration using the successive dilution method. The characterization of FTIR, SEM, and XRD indicated that n ZVI was successfully loaded to the surface of natural bentonite. The sorption of phosphorus on B-n ZVI was observed to be p H-dependent, with maximum phosphorus removal occurring at the p H range of 2 to 5. The results demonstrate that the maximum sorption capacities of natural bentonite and B-n ZVI were 4.61 and 27.63 mg·g^(-1), respectively.Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson models properly described the sorption isotherm data. For either adsorbent, desorption isotherms did not coincide with their corresponding sorption isotherms, suggesting the occurrence of irreversibility and hysteresis. The average percentages of retained phosphorus released from natural bentonite and B-n ZVI were 80% and 9%, respectively. The results indicated that sorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The present study suggests that B-n ZVI could be used as a suitable adsorbent for the removal of phosphorus from aqueous solutions.

Effects of green iron nanoparticles on iron changes and phytoavailability in a calcareous soil

Green iron nanoparticles(Fe NPs)can be a practical solution to combat iron(Fe)deficiency in calcareous agricultural soils.The main aim of the present work was to assess the effects of green Fe NPs on Fe availability in calcareous soils.For this purpose,green Fe NPs were synthesized using green tea(G-Fe NPs),Shirazi thyme(T-Fe NPs),walnut green hull(W-Fe NPs),and pistachio green hull(P-Fe NPs)extracts and applied as a source of Fe fertilizer to sorghum(Sorghum bicolor L.Moench)plants.Results of X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and dynamic light scattering(DLS)indicated that the green Fe NPs were amorphous in nature and the polyphenols obtained from plant-part extracts acted as both capping and reducing agents.Similar to the behavior of Fe-ethylenediamine-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid(Fe-EDDHA)in calcareous soils,G-Fe NPs,T-Fe NPs,W-Fe NPs,and P-Fe NPs increased Fe release compared with the control and FeSO_(4) treatment.Cumulative Fe release data fitted well to the power function,intra-particle diffusion,and Elovich kinetic models.According to the pot experiment,the increment in soil Fe availability upon Fe-EDDHA and Fe NPs application led to an increase in Fe uptake,growth,and photosynthetic pigment contents of the sorghum plants.Although further research is needed to evaluate the residual effect and environmental impact of green Fe NPs,they may be an appropriate substitute for traditional Fe fertilizers in calcareous soils.