Removal of antimony (III) ions from aqueous solutions using a magnetic pomegranate peel alginate biocomposite

In this study, a new environmentally friendly and renewable magnetic biocomposite was developed and used for the removal of antimony (III) ions from aqueous environments. The biocomposite was prepared by encapsulating pomegranate peel powder, sodium alginate, and biologically synthesized iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) within the alginate matrix using a calcium chloride solution. The synthesized material was characterized using FT-IR, SEM-EDX, and BET analysis methods. Using the magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method, the conditions for removing Sb(III) ions from aqueous solutions using the biocomposite were optimized. In a solution containing 20 mg/L Sb(III), the highest removal efficiency of 93% ± 3 was achieved at pH 6, 0.075 g adsorbent, 40°C temperature, and 30 min mixing time. Antimony determinations Antimony determinations were performed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), and the method's limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as 0.76 mg/L and the limit of quantification (LOQ) as 4.91 mg/L. The applicability of the developed method was tested by adding antimony to real samples such as tap water, municipal wastewater, and geothermal pool accumulation water. Due to the matrix effect in these samples, the recovery values ranged from 69% to 79%. However, considering that the remaining Sb(III) concentration in the samples was below the limit of quantification, the actual removal efficiency was estimated to be approximately 90%. The results indicate that the developed magnetic biocomposite is effective for the removal of antimony contamination.