Modification and Characterization of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Use in Adsorption of Alkaloids

Magnetite (Fe3O4 ) is a ferromagnetic iron oxide of both Fe(II) and Fe(III), prepared by FeCl2 and FeCl3 . XRD was used for the confirmation of Fe3O4 . Via the modification of Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS), and Alginate (AA), Fe3O4 @SiO2 , Fe3O4 @SiO2-NH2, and Fe3O4 @SiO2 -NH2-AA nanoparticles could be obtained, and IR and SEM were used for the characterizations. Alkaloid adsorption experiments exhibited that, as for Palmatine and Berberine, the most adsorption could be obtained at pH 8 when the adsorption time was 6 min. The adsorption percentage of Palmatine was 22.2%, and the adsorption percentage of Berberine was 23.6% at pH 8. Considering the effect of adsorption time on liquid phase system, the adsorption conditions of 8 min has been chosen when pH 7 was used. The adsorption percentage of Palmatine was 8.67%, and the adsorption percentage of Berberine was 7.25%. Considering the above conditions, pH 8 and the adsorption time of 8min could be chosen for further uses.