Abstract (PDF)
Graphical Abstract: This work is dedicated to the synthesis of ZnO and CeO2 nanopraticles with possible application for nitrite ions removal. The obtained nnaoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. Further, the produced nanoparticles were used to adsorb NO2- ions from aqueous solutions. The results showed that the nanoparticles which were heated at 90°C (hydroxide forms) presented a higher activity for nitrite ions removal than those that were heated at 400°C (oxide forms). This may be related to nitrite ions preferential adsorption to hydroxide forms rather than to oxide forms; in both cases (90°C and 400°C), zinc oxide nanoparticles presented higher nitrite removal activity.