Facile Synthesis and Characterization of HNT-Ferrihydrite Nanocomposites for water/wastewater treatment

Halloysite nanotube/ferrihydrite (HNT/HFO) nanocomposites have been synthesized using a simple chemical precipitation method using only one-pot method. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized for its physicochemical as well as morphological characteristics through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Transmission Emission Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) as well as Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The morphology of the synthesized nanocomposites revealed the attachment of HFO to the lining of HNT which confirms its successful grafting on HNT. XRD patterns has revealed the nanocomposite having monoclinic structure in which it agrees with the FTIR results. The high surface area of 328.6 m2/g and high aspect ratio of the HNT-HFO nanocomposites has endowed it with enforcing ability and increased its water absorption capability, which in turn making it highly hydrophilic. The high hydrophilicity and adsorption ability of the nanoparticles has open a wide opportunity for it to be utilized in separation of wastewater.