Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetite-Polysulfone Micro- and Nanobeads with Improved Chemical Stability in Acidic Media

Denisa      Ficai; Anton      Ficai; Roxana      Trusca; Bogdan Stefan      Vasile; Gorgeta      Voicu; Cornelia      Guran; Ecaterina      Andronescu

doi:10.2174/1573413711309020017

Abstract

The phase-inversion process initiating form magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) and polysulfone, in dimethylformamide (DMF) 15%w was performed to obtain the more chemically stable Fe₃O₄/polysulfone (PSf) micro and nanobeads. Finally, by spraying the polysulfone- magnetite suspension into distilled water the Fe₃O₄/PSf micro and nanobeads were formed. The polysulfone plays dual role, such as the one that’s of protecting magnetite in acidic media and the other of supporting the immobilization of the active groups which are involved in water purification. The presence of the polymeric shell maximizes the stability of these micro and nanobeads in acidic, synthetic environment to a great extent. The characterization of these Fe₃O₄/PSf suprastructures was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEMHRTEM) and also according to their chemical stability in acidic and synthetic environment. This manuscript has been aimed towards the development of new Fe₃O₄/polysulfone micro and nanobeads with increased chemical stability in acidic media. In acidic media, Fe₃O₄/polysulfone micro and nanobeads are reported to become 500 times more chemically stable as compared to the pure Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The results of this research are promising enough to hope that the functionalization of these materials would be quite beneficial in environmental applications – such as the removal of heavy metal from water and its purification.