Abstract
This study presents the development of magnetic composite nanosorbents based on iron oxide and humic acids (HA) for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous media. The nanocomposites were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation followed by surface modification with humic acids in a vortex electromagnetic field. The phase composition, structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties of the synthesized materials were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and magnetometry. The sorption properties of the obtained materials were assessed using atomic absorption spectrometry based on the degree of extraction of heavy metal ions from model aqueous solutions. It was established that modification of the iron oxide surface with humic acids promotes the formation of a functionalized surface capable of interacting with metal ions. The combination of sorption sites provided by the humic matrix with the magnetic properties of iron oxide enables efficient separation of the sorbent from the treated medium using an external magnetic field. The scientific significance of the study lies in establishing the relationship between the composition and surface characteristics of the magnetic composites and their sorption efficiency. The developed materials can be considered promising sorbents for the treatment of natural and wastewater contaminated with heavy metal ions.