Magnetic hierarchical porous carbon sphere prepared for removal of organic pollutants in water

A magnetic hierarchical porous carbon sphere was synthesized by a simple, facile and inexpensive ion exchange route, in which the magnetic Fe3O4 particles are dispersed in the sample. The magnetic hierarchical porous carbon sphere was characterized by combined techniques including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N-2 adsorption desorption isotherms and the magnetization curve. This magnetic hierarchical porous carbon sphere has high surface area (986 m(2)/g), macroscopic sphere, hierarchical porosity (micropores, mesopores and macropores), and good magnetic separability properties. High surface area of this magnetic hierarchical porous carbon sphere showed an efficient adsorption capacity (152 mg/g) for organic pollutants (methyl orange) in water and can be easily separated from water by external magnetic field. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.