Three-dimensional α-Fe2O3/amino-functionalization carbon nanotube sponge for adsorption and oxidative removal of tetrabromobisphenol A

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is one most widely used brominated flame retardant worldwide. In this study, a three-dimensional α-Fe 2 O 3 /amino-functionalization carbon nanotube (α-Fe 2 O 3 /CNT-N) sponge was synthesized and applied for adsorption removal of TBBPA from aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity of TBBPA on the α-Fe 2 O 3 /CNT-N sponge was 41.35 ± 6.09 mg·g −1 at 303 K and pH 7.0 ± 0.1 and the adsorption capacity was maintained in the pH range of 3–7. The adsorbed TPPBA on the α-Fe 2 O 3 /CNT-N sponge can be easily degraded after adding peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to generate hydroxyl and sulfate radicals. The functional groups such as CONH 2 , C O and π–π ∗ bonds played an important role in the activation of PMS. The α-Fe 2 O 3 /CNT-N sponge may be considered to use for water treatment due to its good adsorption capacity, easy separation from water and simple regeneration procedures.