Synthesis of Magnetic Carbon Nanoparticles Using Pyrolysis of Glycerol and Ferrocene for Antibiotic Removal

Abstract

Synthesis of magnetic carbon nanoparticles (M-CNPs) via nebulizing co-pyrolysis of glycerol and ferrocene with magnetic induction was successfully conducted. Experimental investigation on influence of synthesizing temperature and ratio of glycerol to ferrocene suggested that at 800 °C of synthesizing temperature with an initial weight ratio of glycerol to ferrocene of 3:1, the highest M-CNP synthesizing yield of 15.9 % was achieved. With the presence of magnetic induction, controlled synthesis of M-CNPs could be anticipated as a promising method for producing M-CNPs with high quality and high yield. Oxy-tetracycline (OTC) has been recognized as environmental contamination due to its over-dosage and leakage from agricultural activities. Among various alternatives for removal antibiotic, adsorption and advance oxidation via ozonation are promising because of their simplicity and effectiveness. Therefore, M-CNPs synthesized by nebulizing pyrolysis of glycerol and ferrocene were employed as an adsorbent and catalyst for removal of OTC from simulated wastewater. Adsorption efficiency of synthesized M-CNPs could be promoted when pH was between 3 and 7. These results would be ascribed to the influence electrostatic adsorption. It was found that adsorption of OTC on the synthesized M-CNPs obeyed the Langmuir adsorption model. Synergetic effects of adsorption and ozonation revealed that synthesized M-CNPs could significantly enhance the removal rate of OTC when compared to those of carbon black, graphite powder and ozonation. Moreover, M-CNPs could be easily separated from simulated wastewater by permanent magnetic bar. Finally, regeneration of spent M-CNPs revealed that M-CNPs exhibited excellent reusability.