Water-soluble magnetic-carbon nanotubes nanocomposites for efficient adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solution

ABSTRACT

In this study, the water-soluble magnetic-multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites were fabricated via a facile and efficient approach and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy in detail. The nanocomposites could be employed as an effective adsorbent for removal of heavy metal ions, Cu(II) ions, from aqueous solution. It is noteworthy that the novel adsorbent displayed good water-dispersibility, rapid absorption rate, high absorption capacity, and convenient magnetic separation. Furthermore, the nanocomposites could be recovered and recycled for 10 consecutive trials without significant loss of its activity.

KEYWORDS:

• Multi-walled carbon nanotubes
• Magnetic nanocomposites
• Cu(II)
• Magnetic separation
• Adsorption

Funding

We gratefully acknowledge financial support by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province’s Higher Education of China (No. KJ2015A205), the Excellent Young Talents Foundation for Colleges and Universities of Anhui Province (No. gxyqZD2016356), the Natural Science Project of Bengbu University (No. 2013ZR03zd), and Construction Fund for Key Subjects of Bengbu University.