A new approach for one step synthesis of magnetic carbon nanotubes/diatomite earth composite by chemical vapor deposition method: Application for removal of lead ions

• Carbon nanotubes were synthesized on diatomite by chemical vapor deposition method.
• A one step and simultaneous approach was used for synthesis of magnetic composite.
• Characterization by FT-IR, XRD, TEM, SEM, TGA, VSM, BET and Raman spectroscopy.
• Prepared material was used as a magnetic sorbent for lead uptake from water sample.
• The maximum Langmuir monolayer capacity of 60 mg g−1 was measured for lead ions.

In this research, a one step and facile approach was used for the synthesis of magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the surface of diatomite earth as a substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of methane. The prepared composite was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), N2 adsorption – desorption measurement (BET) and Raman spectroscopy analyses. This new material combines the advantages of carbon nanotubes and diatomite in one material. The composite exhibited superparamagnetic properties and was used as a magnetic separable sorbent for adsorption of metal ions from aqueous media. The acid activated sorbent showed fast adsorption kinetic within 10 min and maximum Langmuir monolayer capacity of 60 mg g−1 for lead ions. The thermodynamic parameters, ΔH, ΔS and ΔG were calculated from temperature-dependent adsorption data indicating adsorption of Pb2+ ions onto the composite material is a spontaneous process. The results suggest that this sorbent is a suitable material for the removal and solidification of metal ions from polluted environmental samples.

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