Hybrid magnetic amphiphilic composites based on carbon nanotube/nanofibers and layered silicates fragments as efficient adsorbent for ethynilestradiol

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2012-08, Vol.379 (1), p.84-88
• Main Authors: Purceno, Aluir D., Teixeira, Ana Paula C., Souza, Nubia Janaína de, Fernandez-Outon, Luis E., Ardisson, José D., Lago, Rochel M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: activated carbon; Adsorbents; Adsorption; Amphiphilic composites; Carbon nanotubes; Catalysis; Chemical vapor deposition; Chemistry; Contaminants; Ethinyl Estradiol - chemistry; Ethynilestradiol; Exact sciences and technology; Fragments; General and physical chemistry; hydrophobicity; iron; Layered silicates fragments; magnetic separation; Magnetics; methane; Nanofibers; Nanofibers - chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry; Particle Size; scanning electron microscopy; Silicates; Silicates - chemistry; Surface area; Surface chemistry; Surface physical chemistry; Surface Properties; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; transmission electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2012.04.018

[Display omitted] ► We produced composites based on carbon nanostructures and layered silicates fragments. ► These composites are magnetic and amphiphilic. ► The composites showed high adsorption capacity for the hormone ethinylestradiol. In this work, hybrid magnetic amphiphilic composites were prepared by the catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanofibers CNF on layered silicates fragments. SEM, TEM, Raman, XRD, Mössbauer, TG/DTA showed that CVD with CH4 at 800°C produced CNF and magnetic Fe cores fixed on the surface of microfragments of silicates layers. Due to the amphiphilic character, the composites can be easily dispersed in water and efficiently adsorb hydrophobic contaminant molecules. For example, the composites showed remarkable adsorption capacities for the hormone ethinylestradiol, e.g. 2–4mgm−2, compared to ca. 0.1mgm−2 obtained for high surface area activated carbon and multiwall CNT. These results are discussed in terms of a high hydrophobic exposed surface area of the CNT and CNF fixed on the layered silicates fragments surface. Moreover, the composites can be easily removed from water by a simple magnetic separation process.