Electrosynthesis of Silane‐Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles for Efficient Lead Ion Removal

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The removal of heavy metal ions, such as lead (Pb 2+ ), from aqueous systems is critical due to their high toxicity and bioaccumulation in living organisms. This study presents a straightforward approach for the synthesis and surface modification of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) for the magnetic removal of Pb 2+ ions. IONPs were produced via electrosynthesis at varying voltages (10–40 V), with optimal magnetic properties achieved at 40 V resulting in highly crystalline and magnetic IONPs in the gamma‐maghemite (γ‐Fe 2 O 3 ) phase. IONPs were characterized using various techniques including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A novel electrochemical method was developed for the silanization of IONPs using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), (3‐mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). The resulting silane‐modified IONPs were evaluated for the magnetic removal of Pb 2+ ions, with TEOS‐modified IONPs demonstrating superior performance. This material exhibited a high adsorption capacity of 519 mg/g at a Pb 2+ ion concentration of 300 ppm, and high removal efficiency across a range of Pb 2+ ion concentrations, attributed to its Fe 2 O 3 @SiO 2 core‐shell structure. This study highlights the potential of the electrochemical synthesis and silanization of nanoparticles for heavy metal remediation in water.