Magnetically separated and N, S co-doped mesoporous carbon microspheres for the removal of mercury ions

Magnetically separated and N, S co-doped mesoporous carbon microspheres (N/S-MCMs/Fe3O4) are fabricated by encapsulating SiO2 nanoparticles within N, S-containing polymer microspheres which were prepared using resorcinol/formaldehyde as the carbon source and cysteine as the nitrogen and sulfur co-precursors, followed by the carbonization process, silica template removal, and the introduction of Fe3O4 into the carbon mesopores. N/S-MCMs/Fe3O4 exhibits an enhanced Hg2+ adsorption capacity of 74.5 mg/g, and the adsorbent can be conveniently and rapidly separated from wastewater using an external magnetic field. This study opens up new opportunities to synthesize well-developed, carbon-based materials as an adsorbent for potential applications in the removal of mercury ions from wastewater.

Graphical abstractMagnetically separated and N, S co-doped mesoporous carbon microspheres (N/S-MCMs/Fe3O4) was fabricated as an adsorbent for potential applications in the removal of mercury ions from wastewater.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide