The influence of fractal nature on schwertmannite adsorption properties

Abstract

Schwertmannite (SCH), a ferric oxyhydroxy sulfate mineral, had attracted extensive interests due to its excellent adsorption performance in decontamination processes. The present study initially explored the fractal properties of SCH by SEM imaging and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The two SCH samples under investigation were synthesized through chemical and biological routes, respectively. Our results revealed that biosynthesized SCH exhibited higher inner fractal dimension but lower surface fractal dimension than chemosynthesized SCH. These outcomes were in line with their differing adsorption capabilities toward humic acid and Cr(VI). As a result, the employment of fractal geometry had led to new dimension of understanding the structure-property relationship in SCH.