PACITA COMPLEX NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Sampaguita St. Pacita Complex 1, San Pedro, Laguna

Green-Synthesized Iron Nanoparticles using Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua)

Leaves in Absorption of Lead in an Aqueous Solution

Proponent:

Geuel John D. Rivera

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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

INTRODUCTION

Water is one of the most important elements that people consume every day. Due to

water pollution and human activities water is now contaminated. It is also caused by the

pollutants which are directly or indirectly discharged into the bodies of water without adequate

treatment to remove harmful compounds (Cram101 Textbook Reviews 2016).

Nowadays, water contains pollutants such as heavy metals including Mercury (Hg),

Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), Thallium (Tl), and Lead (Pb). Lead is one out of

5 metals that has damaging effects on human health. It is toxic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic that

can accumulate in the body and cause serious problems. Lead contamination poses a serious

threat to the safety of drinking water because it has been used as an ingredient of gasoline, paint,

glassware, metal pipes, and food containers. Lead and lead compounds are generally toxic

pollutants (WHO 2016).

Synthesized-nanoparticles from leaf extracts can help reduce water pollution. According

to ScienceDaily, a nanoparticle is a microscopic powder (nanopowder) with at least one

dimension less than 100 nm. Nanoparticle research is currently an area of intense scientific

interest due to its wide variety of potential applications in biomedical, optical, and electronic

fields.

Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) is an exotic plant. It is originally from China but can

now be found in the Philippines. It is widely used in treating fever, inflammations, and malaria.

Phytochemicals such as terpenoids and flavonoids are present in this plant. They act as reducing

and capping agents that stabilize nanoparticles.

In this study the researcher intends to determine if lead in water can be lessen with the

use of green-synthesized iron nanoparticles that are highly toxic to living organisms.
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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

Background of the Study

Chemicals in water have negative effects on a person’s health. They may not cause

immediate damage the health but once an organism is exposed to them in an extended amount of

time then the result can be fatal. Heavy metals are natural components of the Earth's crust. They

cannot be degraded or destroyed. According to Lennetech 2017, heavy metals are dangerous

because they tend to bioaccumulate. It refers to the increase of chemical concentration in a

biological organism over time.

Lead is a toxic metal. Its widespread usage has caused extensive environmental

contamination and numerous health problems in many parts of the world (WHO 2010). Young

children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and can suffer profound and

permanent adverse health effects, particularly affecting the development of the brain and nervous

system. Lead also causes long-term harm in adults, including increased risk of high blood

pressure and kidney damage (WHO 2018). Wind-blown soil and road dust also may contain

naturally occurring lead as well as lead from industrial sources, deteriorated paint, and the

combustion of leaded gasoline and aviation fuel (Department of Health, 2010).

Daily intake of lead from all sources is approximately 0.1 milligrams. The average

human body stores about 120 milligrams of lead in the bones (Royal Society of Chemistry,

2017).

Since water pollution is a global concern that affects different types of living organisms,

numerous researches have been conducted in the different fields of science to find efficient ways

of lessening the amount of heavy metals that contaminate our water.

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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

Heavy Metals Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using TiO2, MgO, and Al2O3

Nanoparticles by Mahdavi, S., Jajali, M., Afkhami, A. (2013).

This study investigated the removal of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ from aqueous

solutions using nanoparticle sorbents (TiO2, MgO, and Al2O3) with a range of experimental

approaches. The maximum uptake values (sum of four metals) with multiple component

solutions were 594.9, 114.6, and 49.4 mg g−1, for MgO, Al2O3, and TiO2, respectively. The

sorption equilibrium isotherms are described using the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The

best interpretation for experiment data was given by the Freundlich model for Cd2+, Cu2+, and

Ni2+ in single- and multiple-component solutions. A first-order kinetic model adequately

described the experimental data using MgO, Al2O3, and TiO2. SEM-EDX both before and after

metal sorption and soil solution saturation indices (SI) in MgO nanoparticles indicate that the

main sorption mechanism for heavy metals was attributable to adsorption and precipitation,

whereas heavy metal sorption by TiO2 and Al2O3 adsorbents was due to adsorption. These

nanoparticles may potentially be used as efficient sorbents for heavy metal removal from

aqueous solutions. MgO nanoparticles were the most promising sorbents because of their high

metal uptake.

Adsorption of Pb (II) from aqueous solution by Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf powder by

Bhattacharyya, K, G., Sharma, A. (2004).

An adsorbent was developed from the mature leaves of the Neem (Azadirachta indica)

tree for removing Pb(II) from water. Adsorption was carried out in a batch process with several

different concentrations of Pb(II) by varying amount of adsorbent, pH, agitation time and

temperature. The uptake of the metal was very fast initially, but gradually slowed down

indicating penetration into the interior of the adsorbent particles. Both first-order and second-
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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

order kinetics were tested and it was found that the latter gave a better explanation. The

experimental data closely followed both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorbent had

a considerably high Langmuir monolayer capacity of 300 mg/g. A small amount of the adsorbent

(1.2 g/L) could remove as much as 93% of Pb(II) in 300 min from a solution of concentration

100mg/L at 300 K. The adsorption continuously increased in the pH range of 2.0-7.0, beyond

which the adsorption could not be carried out due to the precipitation of the metal. The

adsorption was exothermic at ambient temperature and the computation of the parameters,

DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG, indicated the interactions to be thermodynamically favorable.

Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

by Ingole, N. W., Bhole, A. G. (2003)

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fast growing, free-floating aquatic weed.

Floating aquatic plants are capable of assimilating large quantities of trace elements and heavy

metals, some of which are essential for plant growth. The uptake of these elements is often

increased when plants are cultured in wastewater containing high levels of macronutrients. They

have the ability to absorb heavy metals. Heavy metals and other trace contaminants enter surface

and groundwater in various ways and adversely affect flora and fauna. Hence, the removal of

such impurities is necessary. Batch studies were conducted and the uptake of arsenic, chromium,

mercury, nickel, lead and zinc from the aqueous solution for six different concentrations ranging

from 5 mg/l to 50 mg/l was studied. The daily uptake of heavy metals for all concentrations was

recorded and the results analyzed. Efficiency of removal was determined when each metal was

present separately. Samples were analyzed by using a UV visible spectrophotometer. Results

indicated that at lower concentrations i.e. 5 mg/l of heavy metals, the plant growth was normal

and removal efficiency was greater. At higher concentrations, greater than 10 mg/l, the plant
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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

started wilting and removal efficiency was reduced. It was observed that in aqueous solutions

containing 5 mg/l of arsenic, chromium and mercury the maximum uptake was 26 mg/kg, 108

mg/kg and 327 mg/kg of dry weight of water hyacinth respectively. The heavy metal removal

efficiency was also checked by evaluating the uptake rate constant (k) for water hyacinths. A

generalized polynomial model was proposed for kinetics of nickel removal. Both models were

verified and found to work satisfactorily. Finally, it was concluded that by using water hyacinth,

heavy metals could be effectively removed from wastewater when their concentrations were less

than 10 mg/l. Lead and zinc were removed more efficiently at higher concentrations than other

metals, but plants started to discolor at high concentrations of metals and this luxury uptake leads

to destruction of plants in most cases.

Sol-gel mediated synthesis of silica nanoparticle from Bambusa vulgaris leaves and its

environmental applications: kinetics and isotherms studies by Durairaj, K., Velmurugan,

P., Senthilkumar, P., Dhamodaran, K. (2019).

The present investigation had made to synthesis of silica nanoparticle (SiNp) from

Bambusa vulgaris leaves (BVL) ash by using sol-gel technique and it was utilized for the

removal of Cadmium (Cd) and Congo red (CR) in aqueous solutions. Further, the synthesized

adsorbent was characterized using instrumental techniques such as XRD, FTIR, FESEM–EDS

mapping, TEM, BET, and Zeta potential. In addition, the batch mode technique (such as pH,

adsorbent dose, and contact time) was carried out for optimization of Cd and CR removal. The

adsorption behavior and capacity were calculated using different isotherms and kinetics. The

obtained results of Cd and CR removal were optimized with following parameters such as pH 7,

adsorbent dose (100 mg), and equilibrium time (30 min). Also, the adsorbent behavior was found

suitable in Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model and its maximum adsorbent capacity was
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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

133 and 172 mg/g. The kinetic data were better fitted into the pseudo-second order model. The

results concluded that the synthesized SiNp was the best adsorbent for the removal of metals,

dyes and also economically sound techniques for disposal of agricultural waste. Open image in

new window This investigation utilized Bambusa vulgaris leaves for synthesis of silica

nanoparticle by sol-gel process and removal of Cadmium and Congo red. Bamboo species are

considered one of the fast growing and high yielding plants. Mostly, it has been utilized for

making of winnow, basket, fan, and pulp production. Indeed, as per previous reports these leaves

are considered waste but after analyzing the chemical properties of leaves it was established that

they contained higher percentage (more than 35%) of silica. Finally, we conclude that

synthesized silica nanoparticles are eco-friendly and economically efficient adsorbent for

removal of heavy metals as well as dyes in the aqueous solutions and also best solution for

agricultural waste management.

Absorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions using Mangroves from Mumbai

Mangroves by Avhad, A. (2019).

Bio-adsorption of heavy metals by mangrove biomass has been valued as a potential

alternative to the existing physiochemical technologies for detoxification and recovery of

valuable heavy metals from waste waters. In this context we have investigated the efficacy of

mangrove leaf powder Avicennia marina (MLP) as bio adsorbent for removal of divalent metal

ion Chromium. The particle size of the powder was kept constant at 1mm. Adsorption of the

heavy metal was studied under varying MLP amount and Time while pH (4.0) and a temperature

(37 o C) were kept constant. With a defined calibration curve adsorption of chromium was

estimated with diphenyl carbazide absorption method using colorimeter (visible). Increase in

concentration of MLP paralleled with time showed maximum adsorption of chromium. These
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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

results indicated that mangrove leaf powder (MLP) can be used as low-cost adsorbent for the

removal of chromium from aqueous solutions.

Statement of the Problem

The researcher aims for the following results in the study:

1. To determine the efficiency of Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua) leaves in the

synthesis of iron nanoparticles and;

2. To determine the absorption activity of various concentrations of green-synthesized

nanoparticles against lead in an aqueous solution.

3. To verify the size and morphology of green-synthesized nanoparticles.

Hypotheses

The researcher is guided by these hypotheses in absorption of heavy metals in an aqueous

solution:

Set A

Null = Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua) leaves have no significant effects on the synthesis

of iron nanoparticles

Alternative = Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua) leaves have significant effects on the

synthesis of iron nanoparticles

Set B

Null = Green-synthesized iron nanoparticles have no significant effect on the adsorption of lead

in an aqueous solution.

Alternative = Green-synthesized iron nanoparticles have a significant effect on the adsorption of

lead in an aqueous solution.

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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

Significance of the Study

The researcher wants to conduct the study to establish that lead can be lessened by the

use of Green-synthesized iron nanoparticles. The study will attribute to these:

Environment. Green-synthesized iron nanoparticles will benefit the environment by providing a

safe and efficient solution to the threat of water pollution.

Community. Once lead is absorbed by green-synthesized iron nanoparticles from polluted water

it can reduce the risk of acquiring diseases.

Government. The government can use green-synthesized iron nanoparticles as effective

absorbents of the pollutants in water.

Future Researchers. The researcher and his study can provide additional information that can

assist in the development of future related experiments.

Scopes and Limitations of the Study

The study aims to determine the possibility of synthesizing iron nanoparticles by using

Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua) leaves in order to efficiently absorb lead in an aqueous

solution. The green-synthesized nanoparticles will be verified using Scanning Electron

Microscope (SEM) to determine the structural size of green-synthesized nanoparticles.

Ultraviolet-Visible spectrometry (UV-VIS) can be used to test the absorption of light of the

green-synthesized nanoparticles.
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MATERIAL AND METHODS

These contain the materials and methods the researcher utilized throughout the study.

Research Design

The researcher prepared two research designs. There are 3 variations on the experiment:

Variation A (1:1 = 10ml Sweet Wormwood extract and 10ml FeCl3 Solution), Variation B (2:1 =

20ml Sweet Wormwood extract and 10ml FeCl3 Solution), and Variation C (1:2 = 10ml Sweet

Wormwood extract and 20ml FeCl3 Solution). The control groups are 30ml Ferric chloride

(FeCl3) and 30ml Sweet Wormwood extract.

Materials

 25g Sweet Wormwood leaves

 Deionized water

 Distilled Water

 0.01g of Ferric chloride (FeCl3)

 Hot plate

 Stirring rod

 Filter paper

 Beaker

 Graduated cylinder

 Thermometer

 Funnel

 Dropper

 Electronic balance
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IRON NANOPARTICLES AS LEAD ABSORBENT

Procedure

I. Acquisition of the Materials

The Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua) leaves were acquired at San Pedro,

Laguna, Ferric chloride (FeCl3) was obtained in the PCNHS Laboratory, and the other

materials were also obtained in PCNHS Laboratory.

II. Verification of the Plant

Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua) leaves are verified at Department of Science

and Technology (DOST)

III. Preparation of the Leaf Extract

20g Sweet Wormwood leaves are heated on beaker in 70-100° C with

continuous agitation.

IV. Synthesis of Green-synthesized Iron Nanoparticles

The precursor (FeCl3 Solution) was acquired by mixing 0.01g of Ferric chloride

(FeCl3) with 100ml of Distilled water, and the precursor was mixed with the Sweet

Wormwood (Artemisia annua) leaf extract.

V. Absorption of Lead using Green-synthesized Iron Nanoparticles

The three variations, and the constant variables are tested at the Department of

Science and Technology (DOST) to test the capability of the green synthesized

nanoparticles to absorb lead.

VI. Verification of Green-synthesized Iron Nanoparticles using SEM and UV-VIS

The solution of the leaf extract and the precursor will be centrifuged in

3000~3500 BPM at University of the Philippines - Los Baños. The supernatant was then

separated for Ultraviolet-Visible spectrometry (UV-VIS) and the variation that has
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highest absorption of lead will undergo the verification of particle size and morphology

using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at University of the Philippines - Los Baños.

VII. Analyzing Results

Set-up Variation Result Unit Method

1:1 (LE:FeCl3) mg/L Lead Spectrophotometric

Experimental 1:2 (LE:FeCl3) mg/L Lead Spectrophotometric

2:1 (LE:FeCl3) mg/L Lead Spectrophotometric

Control Ferric Chloride mg/L Lead Spectrophotometric

Sweet Wormwood mg/L Lead Spectrophotometric

Extract
Table 1: Lead Absorbed by Green-synthesized Iron Nanoparticles

Flowchart of the Procedure

Acquisition of the Verification of Preperation of

Materials leaves extract leaves extract

Verification of iron
Synthesis of Iron Absorption of Lead
nanoparticles using
Nanoparticles using Nanoparticles
SEM and UV-VIS

Interpretation of
the Results

Figure 1: Flowchart of the Research Procedure