Organo-bentonite-Fe3O4 poly(sodium acrylate) magnetic superabsorbent nanocomposite: Synthesis, characterization, and Thorium(IV) adsorption

• OB-Fe3O4 PSA magnetic nanocomposite was successfully prepared.
• The nanocomposite is a high performance and magnetic recyclable green adsorbent.
• The maximum sorption capacity of Th(IV) on OB-Fe3O4 PSA 3.6 was about 6.55 mmol/g.
• The nanocomposite is a suitable candidate for the removal of Th(IV).
• The sorption kinetic and capacity, and water absorbency were evaluated.

Novel magnetic organo-bentonite-Fe3O4 poly(sodium acrylate) (OB-Fe3O4 PSA) superabsorbent nanocomposites were synthesized in aqueous solution through the copolymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid (SA) on OB-Fe3O4 nanoparticle by using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as initiator. This new superabsorbent was characterized by FTIR, TGA, FE-SEM and XRD. Its iron content and magnetic properties were studied by using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. The water retention test of OB-Fe3O4 PSA was also performed. The introduced OB-Fe3O4 could form a loose and coarse surface and improve the water absorbency of OB-Fe3O4 PSA superabsorbent. The effects of pH, ionic strength, and humic substances (HS) on the adsorption of Th(IV) were investigated in detail through batch experiments. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of Th(IV) on OB-Fe3O4 PSA 3.6 superabsorbent at pH 3.0 ± 0.05 and T = 298 K was about 6.55 mmol/g, higher than any value previously reported. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from temperature-dependent adsorption isotherms suggested that Th(IV) adsorption on OB-Fe3O4 PSA superabsorbent was an endothermic and spontaneous process. Furthermore, OB-Fe3O4 PSA superabsorbent could be regenerated through the desorption of Th(IV) using 0.1 mol/L HCl solution and the adsorption capacity was still higher than 3.6 mmol/g after five consecutive adsorption–desorption processes.

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