A Generalized Method for the Synthesis of Carbon-Encapsulated FeO Composites and Its Application in Water Treatment.

In this paper, a simple and environmentally friendly method was developed for the preparation of highly stable C@FeO composites with controllable morphologies using sodium alginate as the carbon source and the easily obtained α-FeO as the precursors. The morphologies of the as-prepared C@FeO composites, inherited from their corresponding precursors of α-FeO, survived from the annealing treatments, were characterized by the field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The C@FeO composites resisted to oxidation, acidification and aggregation, exhibiting porous structures and ferromagnetic properties at room temperature. Moreover, the adsorption performance of the C@FeO composites was evaluated by absorbing MB (methylene blue) in liquid environment. Experiments indicated that the C@FeO composites exhibited highly enhanced adsorption capacities and efficiencies as compared with their corresponding precursors of α-FeO. This generalized method for the synthesis of C@FeO composites provides promising applications for the highly efficient removal of MB from industrial effluents.