Ultrafast microwave assisted development of magnetic carbon microtube from cotton waste for wastewater treatment

The effect of UVA-Vis irradiation of magnetic microtubes derived from cotton waste on the process of Bisphenol A (BPA) removal and mineralisation is studied. The magnetic microtubes were developed by ultra-fast microwave treatment of carbonised cotton waste to grow Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto the surface of tubes. The activity of magnetic microtubes was tested in the removal of BPA, both in the dark adsorption and under UVA-Vis irradiation. The highest dark adsorption capacity was measured for sample carbonized at 1100 degrees C (208 mg.g(-1)), confirming its high potential in BPA removal from water through direct adsorption. The highest changes in water pollution were observed during the first 10 min of treatment. Toxicity of BPA was significantly reduced after treatment and applied procedures enabled the high quality non-toxic water. The obtained results clearly indicate that the ultrafast and solvent free magnetisation of carbon microtube derived from textile waste offers a low-cost solution for the efficient photo mineralisation of BPA.