One-step fabrication and characterization of hierarchical MgFe2O4 microspheres and their application for lead removal

• The MgFe2O4 microspheres were synthesized via a one-step solvothermal method.
• EG, acetate ion and PEG displayed significant synergistic effect in the fabrication process.
• The MgFe2O4 microspheres have high surface area and excellent magnetic responsivity.
• The materials showed excellent adsorption performance, fast adsorption rate and easy separation.
• The maximum adsorption capacity of the materials for Pb(II) can reach 113.7 mg/g.

Nearly monodispersed hierarchical MgFe2O4 microspheres were prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The possible formation mechanism of the sphere-like MgFe2O4 was proposed. The presence of the EG, acetate ion and PEG played crucial roles and displayed significant synergistic effect in the formation of these microspheres. With relatively abundant mesopores, high specific surface area, excellent magnetic responsivity and redispersibility, the hierarchical MgFe2O4 microspheres were tested for their application in water treatment, and showed an excellent Pb(II) adsorption property with a maximum removal capacity of 113.7 mg/g. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics for Pb(II) onto the MgFe2O4 microspheres were also investigated. With high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption rate, the monodispersed hierarchical MgFe2O4 microspheres have the potential to be used as low-cost and efficient adsorbent materials for the removal of toxic metal ions from water. Also, this facile strategy may be extended to synthesize other metal oxides with hierarchical nanostructures, which may find many other applications due to their novel structural features.

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