Facile preparation of Fe3O4@C/Cu core-shell sub-micron materials for oil removal from water surface

In this paper, we provided a low-cost, high-efficiency and reusable core-shell magnetic sub-micron composite particles (MSMCs) based on Fe3O4 magnetic sub-micron particles (MSMPs) and glucose that was synthesized by hydrothermal method and high temperature carbonization method. Several techniques such as scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, vibrating sample magnetometer, and thermogravimetric analysis were used in the characterization of the materials. The results indicated that the MSMCs has good dispersion and uniform particle size. It also can floating on the surface of water. The saturation magnetization of the MSMCs is 34 kA/m and the coercive force is 84Oe which make it recover easily under the magnetic field. Its excellent temperature resistance can easily remove absorbed oil on its surface by low temperature fractionation. Those separated particle powder can be reused for many times after drying and oscillation. The MSMCs adsorption capacity of kerosene, diesel and engine oil is 3.05 g/g, 3.25 g/g and 3.38 g/g, and its oil-absorption speed is high. With the above characteristics, the MSMCs can effectively remove oil on a wide ocean surface and avoid secondary pollution.