Cube-octameric silsesquioxane (POSS)-capped magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the efficient removal of methylene blue

Abstract

Octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was polymerized on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) and then the NPs were functionalized with carboxylic acid groups using thiol-ene click reactions with thioglycolic acid. The as-prepared Fe₃O₄@POSS-COOH magnetic hybrid NPs had mesoporous structures with an average particle diameter of 15 nm and a relatively high specific surface area of 447 m²∙g⁻¹. Experimental results showed that 4 mg of Fe₃O₄@POSS-COOH NPs efficiently adsorbed and removed methylene blue from water at 5 min. This is due to the presence of both carboxylic acid and pendant vinyl groups on the Fe₃O₄@POSS-COOH NPs. These NPs could be easily withdrawn from water within a few seconds under moderate magnetic field and showed high stability in acid and alkaline aqueous mediums.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

nanomagnetic POSS / surface polymerization / thiol-ene reaction / adsorbent / water treatment

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