The effect of temperature on synthesis of MgFe₂O₄ based on natural iron sand by Co-precipitation method as adsorbent Pb ion

Magnetic materials of magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄) based on natural iron sand has been successfully prepared as an adsorbent of Pb ions. This material was synthesized by co-precipitation method with natural iron and Mg(CH₃COO)₂.4H₂O as precursor powders which were mixed with 2.0 M NH₄OH at a synthesis temperature of 50, 70 and 90 °C. The material characterizations were carried out using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The XRD pattern showed that MgFe₂O₄ has single phase and its crystallite size increased and the powder density decreased as the temperature increased. The optimum temperature for the synthesis of MgFe₂O₄ was found at 50 °C, when the saturation magnetization and coercivity were at the highest values of 51.73 emu/g and 308 Oe, respectively. The result also showed that MgFe₂O₄ as an adsorbent of Pb ions has adsorption capacity of 143.07mg/g and removal efficiency of 97.3%. (paper)