Heavy Metal Removal from Aqueous Solution by Functional Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

Contamination of natural water with heavy metals is a significant global issue. Heavy metals removal from aqueous solution by functional magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, characterized in low cost, high efficiency, easiness of separation and regeneration, has received increasing attention in recent years. In this work, the advances on heavy metals removal by functional magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles are reviewed. The surface modification materials, synthesis methods, including amino-functionalization, thiol-functionalization, carboxy-functionalization and other functionalizations, and application of functional magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles applied for heavy metals removal are elaborated. The advantages and disadvantages of synthesis of functional magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles are further compared, and the influencing factors and mechanisms of heavy metals removal by functional magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles are briefly discussed. Finally, the suggestions on further study of heavy metals removal by functional magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles are presented.