Facile preparation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) assistant and a study of its adsorption capacity

Fe3O4 spheres with loose structure assembled by nanospheres with diameters around 50 nm are synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal method. Series of Fe3O4 morphologies are obtained by controlling the concentration of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The saturation magnetization of Fe3O4 nanospheres is about 87.3 emu/g. Adsorption ability and mechanism of all samples are investigated. Experiments demonstrate that adsorption capacity is closely related with the double impacts of electrostatic interactions and specific surface area.

► Novel morphology of loose structure of Fe3O4 particles is synthesized. ► It is composed of nanospheres with diameter around 50 nm. ► Series of Fe3O4 morphologies are obtained by controlling the concentration of CTAB. ► Adsorption data of the as-prepared particle is obtained. ► This adsorbent is highly suitable for the adsorption of substances with anionic.