Synthesis of a self-organizing network of α-FeOOH nanofibers as an effective adsorbent for Cd2+ removal from water

In this study, for the first time, we report the synthesis of α-FeOOH with self-organized nanofibrous morphology by the use of widely available FeSO47H2O precursor and methanol-assisted reflux. The as obtained nanofibrous goethite phase shows high surface area of 104.1 m2g−1. This material was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. These nanofibers were able to effectively extract Cd2+ from wastewater in conjunction with molecular monolayer adsorption behavior consistent with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity was 181.7 mgg−1, which is superior to values obtained from most other adsorbents for Cd2+ removal. The adsorption capacity was almost unchanged after five adsorption–desorption cycles. Self-organizing α-FeOOH nanofiber networks appear to be promising adsorbents for the remediation of water polluted with Cd2+.