Synthesis of Core–Shell Magnetic Fe₃O₄@poly(m-Phenylenediamine) Particles for Chromium Reduction and Adsorption

Magnetic Fe3O4@poly(m-phenylenediamine) particles (Fe3O4@PmPDs) with well-defined core-shell structure were first designed for high performance Cr(VI) removal by taking advantages of the easy separation property of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and the satisfactory adsorption property of polymers. Through controlling the polymerization on MNPs, directly coating was realized without the complicated premodification procedures. The particle property and adsorption mechanism were analyzed in details. Fe3O4@PmPDs exhibited tunable PmPD shell thickness from 10 to 100 nm, high magnetic (∼150 to ∼73 emu g(-1)) and facile separation property by magnet. The coating of PmPD significantly enhanced Cr(VI) adsorption capacity from 46.79 (bare MNPs) to 246.09 mg g(-1) (71.55% PmPD loading proportion), much higher than many reported composite adsorbents. The high Cr(VI) removal performance was attributed to the adsorption of Cr(VI) on protonated imino groups and the efficient reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by amine, followed by Cr(III) chelated on imino groups, which are spontaneous and endothermic. The Fe3O4@PmPDs have great potential in treating Cr(VI)-contaminated water.