In this study, magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube (MMWCNT) composites were prepared via surface reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) co-polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. First, a novel RAFT agent (RA) was prepared and then immobilized onto the surface of MWCNT to fabricate RA-g-MWCNT. Then, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were attached onto the surface of RA-g-MWCNT. Finally, RAFT co-polymerization of AA and NIPAM monomers was carried out via Fe3O4-g-RA-g-MWCNT RAFT agent. The structure and morphology of the prepared polymer-coated MWCNT was examined by FTIR, SEM, TEM, XRD, VSM, and TGA. The adsorption behaviours of the cationic dyes were studied. The equilibrium isotherm and kinetics of cationic dyes were investigated. Thermodynamics investigations also depicted that the adsorptions of cationic dyes were spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The synthesized dye adsorbent with high adsorption capacities, reusability, and easy recovery makes it as a good candidate for wastewater treatment.
Keywords: Adsorption; Cationic dyes; MWCNT; Magnetic composite; RAFT.
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