Facile synthesis of VF2 nanobelts and its application as a new floating-type absorbent for wastewater treatment

• VF2 nanobelts can be prepared by a facile post-synthesis treatment.
• VF2 nanobelts exhibit an excellent adsorption performance for MB.
• As a new floating-type absorbent, it is easy to recycle from wastewater.

The VF2 nanobelts are successfully prepared by a facile post-synthesis treatment method. We have mainly investigated the effects of fluorine sources, the molar ratio of NH4F to V2O5, reaction temperature and time on the structures and properties of the samples. It is found that NH4F can not only provide F−, but also regulate the growth of VF2 nanobelts. Moreover, the adsorption performance of VF2 nanobelts has also been investigated. The results demonstrate that the as-synthesized VF2 nanobelts exhibit a fast adsorption rate for methylene blue (MB), in which the adsorption equilibrium can be reached at 5–10 min. In addition, the adsorption process well fits with the pseudo-second-order model. Due to the ultra-light weight, VF2 nanobelts can naturally float on the upper surface of aqueous system after stopping stirring. Hence, it can easily be recycled from wastewater. We expect that the VF2 nanobelts, as a new floating-type absorbent, could be used for wastewater treatment.

VF2 nanobelts obtained by a simple post-synthesis method can be used as a floating-type adsorbent.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide