Design and Preparation of Magnetic CTAB/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite for Phenols Removal

The cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-modified montmorillonite (MMT) was synthesized via a novel “dissolution and reassembly” method. To determine the optimal formula, the adsorption of C.I. Reactive Red 2 (X3B) with CTAB/MMT was investigated. The optimal CTAB/MMT nanocomposite was used to remove 2,6-dichlorophenol and p-nitrophenol from aqueous solutions. The adsorption results can be described by Langmuir isotherm, and the adsorption capacities were 200 mg/g and 125 mg/g for 2,6-dichlorophenol and p-nitrophenol, respectively. To realize the quick separation and recycle, the magnetic CTAB/MMT was further strategized and synthesized. The adsorption equilibrium time was 15 min for both contaminants; the ions’ strength showed a little bit of influence on the adsorption performance. In addition, compared with acidic condition, neutral condition was more beneficial to the adsorption reaction. Due to the addition of Fe 3 O 4 , the adsorption capacities of this magnetic nanocomposite for 2,6-dichlorophenol and p-nitrophenol were a little bit decreased, which were 170 mg/g and 91 mg/g, respectively. However, the magnetic nanocomposite can be separated within 30 s under an external magnetic field, which would be useful in the practical application.