Preparation of magnetic mesoporous carbon from polystyrene-grafted magnetic nanoparticles for rapid extraction of chlorophenols from water samples

A magnetic mesoporous carbon material (Fe3O4@C) was fabricated by carbonizing polystyrene grafted polydopamine-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The chemical composition, morphology and magnetism of the mesoporous carbon materials were characterized. The as-prepared magnetic mesoporous carbon was employed for enrichment of chlorophenols from water samples coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV). Various parameters affecting the enrichment were investigated. A good linearity was obtained in the range of 10–200 ng mL−1 for 2-CP, 4-CP and 2,4-DCP, and 5–200 ng mL−1 for 2,4,6-TCP. The recoveries of CPs were in the range of 84.2–120% with intra- and inter-relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 11.0%. The proposed method is fast, convenient and environmentally friendly. The results revealed the suitability of Fe3O4@C nanoparticles as adsorbents for enrichment of CPs from environmental water samples.