Novel amino-functionalized Fe3O4/carboxylic multi-walled carbon nanotubes: One-pot synthesis, characterization and removal for Cu(II)

Abstract

A novel amino functionalized Fe₃O₄/multi-walled carbon nanotubes hybrid was synthesized by a facile and efficient one-pot solvothermal process. The 3-aminophenoxyphthalonitrile which was regarded as phthalonitrile monomer was introduced into the solvothermal process and promoted the phthalocyanine cyclization reaction, finally forming the amino functionalized hybrid. The structure, composition, and morphology were characterized by FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM. It was found that the monodispersed amino functionalized Fe₃O₄ spheres with diameters of 180–220 nm were uniformly attached on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Owing to the synergistic effect between the amino groups and magnetic carbon nanotubes, the asprepared hybrid exhibited the high separation efficiency when used to remove Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption isotherms of the as-prepared hybrid for Cu(II) removal fitted the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of our amino-functionalized Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs hybrid calculated from the isotherm model is 30.49 mg g^–1. This work demonstrated that the amino functionalized Fe₃O₄/multi-walled carbon nanotubes hybrid was promising as efficient adsorbent for heavy metal ions removal from wastewater in low concentration.