Multifunctional magnetic mesoporous nanocomposites towards multiple applications in dye and oil adsorption

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2021-06, Vol.98 (3), p.528-540
• Main Authors: Erdem, Beyhan, İşcan, Kübra Bilgin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Adsorptivity; Binding sites; Cationic dyes; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; colloids; Composites; etc.; fibers; Functional groups; Glass; Hydrophilicity; Hydrophobicity; Inorganic Chemistry; Iron oxides; Magnetic properties; Magnetic separation; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles; Pollutants; Recycled materials; Sorbents; Surface area; Surface chemistry; Water treatment
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-021-05528-8

Multifunctional magnetic mesoporous nanocomposites are promising materials to remove the various pollutants from water due to the remarkable properties such as multiple binding sites, high surface area, and magnetic separation. Herein, we have developed a versatile nanocomposite, in which polydopamine (PDA) coated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are introduced during the synthesis of SBA-15 matrix for the first time to enhance adsorptive properties of hydrophilic magnetic mesoporous nanocomposite by combining the properties of high surface area, magnetization, and capability of interacting with more functional groups in one material. The resulting nanocomposite, Fe 3 O 4 @PDA@SBA-15, has been proved to be the effective sorbent for the removal of cationic dye, which can be ascribed to the functional groups of grafted PDA and the textural features of matrix SBA-15. On the other hand, after chemical modification via silanization of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES), Fe 3 O 4 @PDA@SBA-15 nanocomposite turned to be a hydrophobic material, Fe 3 O 4 @PDA@SBA-15@VTES, which can adsorb oil with high adsorption capacity which could reach 8.83 times of its own weight. Moreover, both nanocomposites could be recycled by facile washing and drying processes. The materials provide a simple strategy for the preparation of multifunctional magnetic mesoporous nanocomposites satisfying various applications in water treatment. Highlights The Fe 3 O 4 @PDA@SBA-15 hydrophilic nanocomposite was developed to enhance the adsorption of cationic dye. Nanocomposite turns to be a hydrophobic material (Fe 3 O 4 @PDA@SBA-15@VTES) that can adsorb oil. These materials with tunable properties satisfy various applications in water treatment. We offer a simple strategy to fabric multifunctional nanocomposites for dye and oil removal. Both nanocomposites are easily separated and regenerated owing to magnetic properties.