Cadmium contamination in agricultural soils severely threatens food safety and ecosystem health, demanding innovative remediation strategies. This study investigates iron oxide–silica nanohybrids (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ NPs) for targeted Cd immobilization, leveraging their high surface area, magnetic recyclability, and compatibility with plant–soil systems. The NPs were synthesized via sol–gel co-precipitation (confirmed by XRD/TEM) and functionalized with carboxyl groups to enhance Cd adsorption. Contaminated soil (45 mg/kg Cd) was treated with NPs (0.1–1.0 wt%), and Cd bioavailability was assessed using sequential extraction (BCR method), revealing a 70% reduction in plant-available Cd at 0.5 wt% NP dosage. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) demonstrated Cd sequestration via surface complexation, while FTIR confirmed NP–soil binding mechanisms. The NPs improved soil microstructure (SEM-EDS), increasing porosity by 25% and water retention by 15%, which mitigated compaction stress. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown in NP-amended soil showed 60% lower Cd accumulation in edible tissues, alongside enhanced biomass (30% increase). Microbial diversity (16S rRNA sequencing) revealed that NP-treated soils retained Proteobacteria dominance (25% higher abundance), critical for nutrient cycling. The NPs were magnetically recovered with 92% efficiency, enabling reuse. These results highlight Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ NPs as a sustainable, scalable solution for Cd remediation, combining high efficiency with minimal ecological disruption. Future work will optimize field-scale NP deployment and long-term soil health monitoring, addressing gaps in nano-agriculture regulatory frameworks.
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                    Magnetic Iron Oxide–Silica Nanohybrids for Targeted Remediation of Cadmium in Agricultural Soil: Mechanistic Insights and Field-Scale Feasibility
                
                                    
                
                
                    Published:
29 October 2025
by MDPI
in The 4th International Online Conference on Materials
session Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology and Quantum Materials
                
                
                
                    Abstract: 
                                    
                        Keywords: Nanohybrids; Cadmium remediation;  Magnetic nanoparticles; Soil-plant interactions
                    
                
                
                 
         
            
 
        
    
    
         
    
    
         
    
    
         
    
    
         
    
