Silver nanoparticles anchored on magnetic single walled carbon nanotubes: An efficient adsorbent for aqueous dissolved organic matter and its hydrophobic acid fraction

Abstract

Herein, synthesis of silver nanoparticles decorated onto magnetic single-walled carbon nanotube (Fe3O4-SWCNT) composite for the efficient adsorptive removal of aqueous dissolved organic matter (DOMB) and its hydrophobic acid fraction (DOMH) is demonstrated. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles act as an adsorbent for DOMB/DOMH and also facilitate the separation of composite following the adsorption operation with the help of an external magnet. Differential thermo gravimetric analysis (DTA) revealed that adsorption is an attachment limited process. Further, excellent adsorption property of the composite (organic carbon adsorbed were 78.60 mgC g−1 and 86.83 mgC g−1 in DOMB and DOMH medium, respectively at pH 4.5) was attributed to the combined roles of SWCNT, Ag, Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The results clearly suggest that the composite may be considered as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of recalcitrant organic compounds from natural and industrial waste water.