Synthesis of Magnetically Separable Nanoadsorbents through the Incorporation of Magnetite Nanoparticles in Activated Carbon

In this study, iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques and the observation of magnetic properties. Activated carbon nanoparticles magnetic nanocomposites were then synthesized by two in situ synthesis of the iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles on activated carbon and the addition of activated carbon during the synthesis of the magnetic nanoparticles. The observation of magnetic properties showed that the in situ synthesis of the iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles on activated carbon does not result in activated carbon nanoparticles magnetic nanocomposites. The magnetic nanocomposites were also characterized by XRD and SEM techniques. The XRD and SEM results of the samples prepared by the method of the addition of activated carbon during the synthesis of the magnetic nanoparticles revealed the formation of the iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles on activated carbon. The synthesized activated carbon nanoparticles magnetic nanocomposites can be used to adsorb petroleum contaminants from water and can be separated simply by applying a magnetic field.