Synthesis of a moringa based coagulant functionalized by iron oxide nanoparticles

Currently, Zimbabwe as a whole has been facing economic challenges in various ways, and this has greatly affected the functionality of quite a number of industries. Taking into consideration of the water treatment industries, mainly all city councils have been facing difficulties in meeting the potable water demand due to lack of funds to purchase the highly expensive chemicals required for raw water treatment. This research serves to provide an alternative to the coagulant used in most water treatment facilities in Zimbabwe, with reference to the City of Gweru. A moringa based coagulant functionalized by iron oxide nanoparticles was synthesized consisting of a ratio of moringa seed extract and iron oxide nanoparticles in a ratio of 3:1. In addition to the economic benefits of the moringa based coagulant, it is also environmentally friendly. The amount of non-biodegradable sludge resulting from the use of aluminium sulphate can be reduced. The synthesized coagulant is partly organic due to the presence of the moringa seed extract, making it biodegradable. It also has magnetic properties due to the presence of the iron oxide nanoparticles. These can be separated easily from the organic part of the sludge through application of a magnetic field and reused again in the synthesis of the coagulant or for other purposes. Jar test experiments were carried out to determine the optimum dosage of the moringa based coagulant and also to compare properties of water treated with the magnetic coagulant to water treated with aluminium sulphate and moringa seed extract separately. The magnetic coagulant gave the best results with a minimum dosage of 45 mg/L. A turbidity removal of 91.5% and a pH of 7.04 was observed.