Optimization of porous structure of superparamagnetic nanoparticle adsorbents for higher and faster removal of emerging organic contaminants and PAHs

Superparamagnetic permanently confined micelle array (Mag-PCMAs) nanoparticle adsorbents have been successfully synthesized with a core/shell structure of a silica/surfactant mesostructured hybrid layer on negatively charged maghemite nanoparticles. A micelle swelling agent, 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene, was introduced during the synthesis and removed afterward to optimize the porous structure of Mag-PCMAs to achieve larger surface area and higher pore volume. The isotherms and kinetics of three representative EOCs (methyl orange, sulfamethoxazole and gemfibrozil) and two PAHs (acenaphthene and phenanthrene) onto Mag-PCMAs were determined, and the regeneration and reusability of Mag-PCMAs for methyl orange removal was also investigated. With the optimization of porous structure, the sorption kinetics and capacities of EOCs and PAHs were significantly improved. All of the results showed that Mag-PCMAs can provide fast, effective and sustainable approach for EOCs and PAHs remediation.