MOF-derived magnetic porous carbon-based sorbent: Synthesis, characterization, and adsorption behavior of organic micropollutants

Magnetic porous carbon-based sorbent (MPCS) with core-shell structure was prepared from the pyrolysis of Fe^III-modified MOF-5. The component, structure and surface properties of the as-obtained sorbent were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Sorption behaviors of five organic micropollutants (OMPs), such as atrazine, carbamazepine, bisphenol A, norfloxacin and 4-nitrophenol, onto the magnetic porous MPCS were studied in a batch system. The adsorption capacities of the five OMPs onto MPCS followed the order of 4-nitrophenol > norfloxacin > bisphenol A > carbamazepine > atrazine. All isotherms were fitted well by the Dubinin-Ashtakhov (DA) model, and the approximate site energy distributions were acquired. The possible adsorption mechanisms of the five OMPs onto as-prepared MPCS were discussed in detail. This study will aid in further understanding of interactions between the OMPs and MOF-derived carbon-based materials.