Development of highly efficient and reusable magnetic nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes for chlorophenol removal

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and further modified with magnetic Co0.5Cu0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles following a one-pot solvothermal method. The characterization data show that the distribution of the magnetic materials and the adsorption characteristics of the CNTs can be tailored as a function of the N doping amount. The N-CNT adsorption isotherms as a function of N content and chlorophenol uptake show that a N doping level of 6% is optimum. After loading the N-CNTs with the magnetic Co0.5Cu0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles (M-N-CNTs), the resulting materials were easily dispersed in aqueous media with specific surface area reaching 95.64 m2/g. The M-N-CNTs exhibit high affinities toward the adsorption of different chlorophenols following the order: Pentachlorophenol (PCP) > 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) > 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) > 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) > phenol. Additionally, the M-N-CNTs exhibit good microwave absorption performance and can be regenerated by microwave irradiation with high efficiencies (> 90%) maintained with high stabilities.