Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon supported magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4/AC@SiO2@Sulfanilamide) and its application in removal of toluene and benzene

Abstract

In this study, the Fe3O4/AC@SiO2@Sulfanilamide magnetic nanoparticles were successfully synthesized as a highly effective magnetic nano adsorbent and applied for the adsorption of toluene and benzene in the gas phase for the first time. The magnetic nano-adsorbents were characterized by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, Differential Thermal Analysis, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy measurements. Besides, the process parameters that affect the adsorption were optimized using the response surface methodology. Optimum conditions of process factors such as contact time, temperature and initial concentration were determined as 59 min, 25 °C and 18 mg/L for toluene, and as 55 min, 28 °C and 15 mg/L for benzene. The maximum adsorption capacity for toluene and benzene was as 612 and 557 mg/g, respectively, under optimal process conditions. Even after five consecutive repetitions, the Fe3O4/AC@SiO2@Sulfanilamide showed high repeatability and retained 89 % and 88 % of its initial adsorption capacity for toluene and benzene, respectively. Kinetic and equilibrium models were investigated. According to these study results, it can be said that having easy synthesis process, high adsorption capacity and reusability performance makes the Fe3O4/AC@SiO2@Sulfanilamide a promising magnetic nano adsorbent.