Magnetic Carbon Porous Polymer Prepared from a New Suspended Emulsion for the Absorption of Heavy Metal Ions.

In this study, magnetic carbon nanopolymers (FeO/C@PM) were synthesized by suspension polymerization using magnetic carbon nanoparticles as the matrix, 2-thiophene formaldehyde and acrylamide as the monomers, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the crosslinking agent. The obtained material was characterized using multiple techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N adsorption-desorption, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The adsorption effects of Zn, Cd, and Pb in the mixed solution were evaluated using magnetic carbon nanoparticles (FeO/C) and FeO/C@PM as adsorbents. The adsorption isotherms, kinetic models, and cyclic regeneration of various metal ions, including Zn, Cd and Pb, were studied. The results showed that the FeO/C@PM maintained a slightly aggregated spherical morphology similar to FeO/C and exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for all of Zn, Cd, and Pb, with maximum adsorption capacities of 343.3, 250.7, and 177.6 mg·g, respectively. The adsorption mechanisms were mainly based on the chemical interactions between metal ions and functional groups on the surface of polymers. The kinetic study revealed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. When FeO/C@PM was reused five times, its adsorption rates for Zn, Cd, and Pb remained above 81%, indicating its great potential for the treatment of wastewater containing Zn, Cd, and Pb.