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7623761 
Journal Article 
Composite Fe3O4/Humic Acid Magnetic Sorbent and its Sorption Ability for Chlorophenols and some other Aromatic Compounds 
Janos, P; Kormunda, M; Zivotsky, O; Pilarova, V; , 
2013 
1 
Separation Science and Technology
ISSN: 0149-6395
EISSN: 1520-5754 
TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC 
PHILADELPHIA 
48 
13 
2028-2035 
English 
WOS:000322867500014 
A composite magnetic sorbent with a relatively high content of humic substances (above 35% of organic carbon) was prepared by co-precipitation of Fe2+/Fe3+ salts with commercially available alkaline humate concentrate. Magnetite (Fe3O4) was identified as the main crystalline phase bearing the magnetic properties of the sorbent. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed the presence of uniform sub-micron structures on the surface of the sorbent grains. Due to the presence of humic substances, the sorbent exhibited good sorption ability towards low-polarity organic pollutants, namely chlorophenols. The sorption efficiency increased in the order of 4-mono-<2,4-di-<2,4,5-trichlorophenol in accordance with growing hydrophobicity of these compounds, confirming a hydrophobic nature of the interactions involved in the sorption process. Similar trends were found in the desorption study utilizing water and methanol as leachants. Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene) were also retained on the sorbent. The chemical composition as well as the main physical characteristics (surface area, phase composition) of the sorbent remained virtually unchanged during the sorption process. The sorbent retained its magnetic properties during the sorption of organic substances from aqueous solutions, which provides an opportunity for its regeneration. 
humate-based sorbent; magnetic sorbent; magnetite; PAHs; sorption of chlorophenols