One-step hydrothermal synthesis of hydrophilic Fe3O4/carbon composites and their application in removing toxic chemicals

Hydrophilic Fe3O4/C nanocomposites are prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal reaction route using FeCl3 and glucose as raw materials, and sodium acetate as an alkali source. The phase structure, morphology, and composition are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, revealing that the glucose plays dual roles in the formation of final products: (I) the reduction of partial Fe3+ to Fe2+ ions and the formation of size-controlled Fe3O4 particles; (II) the stabilization and further functionalization of Fe3O4 nanoparticles by coating carbonous layers. The influence of crucial reaction factors such as the glucose concentration, pH value, reaction temperature and time on the aimed products is also investigated. The prepared Fe3O4/C samples demonstrate typical ferromagnetic behaviors and high removal capacities in removing the toxic Cr(VI) ions and organic pollutant Rhodamine B from wastewater, together with facile magnetic separability and good recyclability.