Cost-effective eco-friendly synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles from waste cans as a precursor for magnetic polymer fabrication

Municipal solid waste (MSW) poses significant risks to both environmental health and human well-being. Therefore, devising innovative and sustainable solutions for transforming MSW into valuable resources is crucial. MSW composition exhibits marked differences between developed and developing nations. While MSW in developing countries largely comprises organic matter such as food waste, wood, foliage, and agricultural residues, developed countries produce MSW dominated by inorganic materials like plastics, paper, metals, and electronic devices. Globally, MSW encompasses a diverse array of materials including household refuse, agricultural remnants, metals, paper, glass, plastics, electronics, inert substances, and miscellaneous debris. Current waste management strategies worldwide heavily favor landfilling, which accounts for approximately 70% of generated MSW. Alternative treatment methods include classified recycling, incineration, pyrolysis, gasification, composting, and anaerobic digestion.

This research investigates a cost-effective chemical process for converting waste cans, a major component of MSW, into active iron oxide nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). To highlight the potential applications of these nanoparticles, they were incorporated into the fabrication of a magnetic polymer, utilizing magnetite nanoparticles as stabilizers in an emulsion template. This novel material holds promise for use in various fields, including diagnostic devices and smart systems.