Elimination of Heavy Metal Contaminants from Wastewater through Nanoparticle-Assisted Treatment under Ultrasonic Waves

Document Type : Regular Article

Author

Department of Chemical Engineering, Ker. C., Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran

10.22034/ijche.2026.547502.1574
Abstract
Heavy metals are among the most hazardous pollutants released into the environment through industrial activities. In recent years, adsorption has been recognized as an effective method for the removal of metal ions from wastewater. Ultrasonic irradiation is a promising technique for intensifying mass transfer during adsorption. In this study, the effect of high-frequency ultrasonic waves on the enhancement of nickel (II) ion removal from aqueous solutions using Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was investigated. The influence of adsorbent dosage, contact time, and pH on removal efficiency was examined and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum removal efficiency achieved with the ultrasonic-assisted process was 84.3% at 60 minutes of contact time, 8 g of Fe₃O₄, and pH = 5, while the conventional stirring (shaker) method resulted in a maximum efficiency of 79.54% at 100 minutes, 10 g of adsorbent, and pH = 9. The use of ultrasound significantly accelerated the adsorption rate at the initial stages by generating cavitation and microstreaming, which increased the availability of active surface sites on the nanoparticles. These findings demonstrate that the combination of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and ultrasonic irradiation offers a rapid, efficient, and environmentally friendly approach for the removal of nickel (II) ions from industrial wastewater.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 February 2026