Fe3O4 embedded ZIF-8 nanocrystals with ultra-high adsorption capacity towards hydroquinone

Well dispersed Fe 3 O 4 embedded ZIF-8 nanocrystals were synthesized through a facile co-precipitation approach. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and magnetic hysteresis loop analysis revealed that the hybrid nanoparticles with large surface areas exhibited good magnetic properties. The magnetic Fe 3 O 4 /ZIF-8 nanocomposites were used to remove hydroquinone (HQ) from aqueous solution. HQ adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order, and the equilibrations were established between 100 and 200 min. The adsorption isotherms of the nanocomposites could be described very well by the Langmuir equation with ultra-high maximum adsorption capacity of 2527 mg g −1 . Besides, the used Fe 3 O 4 /ZIF-8 could be conveniently regenerated by washing with methanol, and the regeneration efficiency could remain 90% after 3 cycles of regeneration. Along with the magnetic separation ability, the as-prepared Fe 3 O 4 /ZIF-8 nanocomposites might be promising candidate for efficient wastewater purification.