Facile synthesis of multifunctional attapulgite/Fe3O4/polyaniline nanocomposites for magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides in environmental water samples

In this study, the superparamagnetic attapulgite/Fe₃O₄/polyaniline (ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by a one-pot method. Fe (III) was applied as both the oxidant for the oxidative polymerization of aniline and the single iron source of Fe₃O₄ formed by the redox reaction between aniline and Fe (III). The ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI was used as sorbent for magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction (MDSPE) of benzoylurea insecticides (BUs) in environmental water samples. The as-prepared nanocomposite sorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry. Various experimental parameters affecting the ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI-based MDSPE procedure, including the composition of the nanocomposite sorbents, amount of ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI nanocomposites, vortex time, pH, and desorption conditions were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, a good linearity was observed for all target analytes, with correlation coefficients (r²) ranging from 0.9985 to 0.9997; the limits of detection (LOD) were in the range of 0.02–0.43 μg L⁻¹, and the recoveries of analytes using the proposed method ranged between 77.37% and 103.69%. The sorbents exhibited an excellent reproducibility in the range of 1.52–5.27% in extracting the five target analytes. In addition, the intra-day and inter-day precision values were found to be in the range of 0.78–6.86% and 1.66–8.41%, respectively. Finally, the proposed ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI-based MDSPE method was successfully applied to analyze river water samples by rapid preconcentration of BUs.     

Synthesis of pyranopyrazoles using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles as efficient and reusable catalyst

Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst, were found to be efficient for the synthesis of a series of pyranopyrazoles by a four component reaction of a mixture of hydrazine hydrate, ethyl acetoacetate, aldehydes/ketones and malononitrile in water at room temperature. The products were attributed to the nanosize of about 16 nm in which the catalyst could act as a nanoreactor. The present protocol offers the advantages of clean reaction, short reaction time, high yield, easy purification and economic availability of the catalyst.     

Mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction of chlorophenols in environmental water samples with 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide-coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis

In this paper, 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (C₁₆mimBr)-coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) as an adsorbent of mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction was investigated for the preconcentration of two chlorophenols (CPs) in environmental water samples prior to HPLC with UV detection at 285 nm. The high surface area and excellent adsorption capacity of the Fe₃O₄ NPs after modification with C₁₆mimBr were utilized adequately in the SPE process. By the rapid isolation of Fe₃O₄ NPs through placing a strong magnet on the bottom of beaker, the time-consuming preconcentration process of loading large volume sample in conventional SPE method with a column can be avoided. A comprehensive study of the adsorption conditions such as the zeta-potential of Fe₃O₄ NPs, added amounts of C₁₆mimBr, pH value, standing time and maximal extraction volume were also presented. Under optimized conditions, two analytes of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) were quantitatively determined. The method was then used to determine the two CPs in real environmental water samples. The accuracy of method was evaluated by recovery measurements on spiked samples. Good recovery results (74–90%) were achieved. It is important to note that satisfactory preconcentration factors and extraction recoveries for the two CPs were obtained with only a small amount of Fe₃O₄ NPs (40 mg) and C₁₆mimBr (24 mg).     

Magnetically separable Fe3O4 nanoparticles: an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of propargylamines

Magnetically separable Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles endow with an efficient and economic route for the synthesis of propargylamines by the three-component coupling of aldehyde, amine, and alkyne through C-H activation. The reaction is especially effective for reactions involving aliphatic aldehydes and no additional co-catalyst or activator is required. High catalytic activity and ease of recovery using an external magnetic field are additional eco-friendly attributes of this catalytic system. The catalyst was recycled for five times without a significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Surface modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a protein delivery vehicle

We report a one-step synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with PEG. The formation of the Fe₃O₄ core and the polymer coating took place simultaneously. Furthermore, these nanoparticles were modified with 3-APTES, providing a -NH₂ functional group, and applied in the immobilization of lysozyme. In this paper, the modified magnetic nanoparticles acting as a general agent to immobilize proteins are around 10 nm in size. The protein immobilization can be adjusted flexibly by changing either the amount of glutaraldehyde or the buffer solution.     

In-tube magnetic solid phase microextraction of some fluoroquinolones based on the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles packed tube

In-tube magnetic solid phase microextraction (in-tube MSPME) of fluoroquinolones from water and urine samples based on the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles packed tube has been reported. After the preparation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) by a batch synthesis, these NPs were introduced into a stainless steel tube by a syringe and then a strong magnet was placed around the tube, so that the Fe₃O₄ NPs were remained in the tube and the tube was used in the in-tube SPME-HPLC/UV for the analysis of fluoroquinolones in water and urine samples. Plackett–Burman design was employed for screening the variables significantly affecting the extraction efficiency. Then, the significant factors were more investigated by Box–Behnken design. Calibration curves were linear (R² > 0.990) in the range of 0.1–1000 μg L⁻¹ for ciprofloxacin (CIP) and 0.5–500 μg L⁻¹ for enrofloxacin (ENR) and ofloxacin (OFL), respectively. LODs for all studied fluoroquinolones ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 μg L⁻¹. The main advantages of this method were rapid and easy automation and analysis, short extraction time, high sensitivity, possibility of fully sorbent collection after analysis, wide linear range and no need to organic solvents in extraction.     

A one-pot synthesis of 5,5-disubstituted hydantoin derivatives using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst

A facile and rapid method for the one-pot synthesis of 5,5-disubstituted hydantoins in the presence of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles has been developed. The multicomponent reactions of carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones), potassium cyanide and ammonium carbonate were carried out under solvent-free conditions to obtain various hydantoin derivatives. The magnetic catalyst could be readily separated by an external magnet from the reaction mixture. This procedure has many advantages, such as the use of a reusable magnetic catalyst, high yields, short reaction times, simplicity and very easiness with implementing the methodology.     

Ultrasonic synthesis of polyaniline nanotubes containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes containing Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized under ultrasonic irradiation of the aqueous solutions of aniline, ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS), phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), and the quantitative amount of Fe₃O₄. It was found that the obtained samples had the morphologies of nanotubes. TEM images and selected area electronic diffractions showed that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were embedded in PANI nanotubes. We thought that the mechanism of the formation of PANI/Fe₃O₄ nanotubes could be attributed to the ultrasonic irradiation and the H₃PO₄-aniline salt template. The molecular structure of PANI/Fe₃O₄ nanotubes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The conductivity and magnetic properties of the PANI nanotubes containing Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were also investigated.     

磁性可见光催化剂BiVO4/Fe3O4的制备及催化活性

采用超声法将磁基体Fe3O4和BiVO4复合,制备了易于固液分离的磁性可见光催化剂BiVO4/Fe3O4。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、傅立叶转换红外光谱(FTIR)、紫外-可见漫反射光谱(DRS)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和磁学性质测量系统(MPMS)对产物进行了表征,并以亚甲基蓝为目标降解物,考察了BiVO4/Fe3O4的可见光催化活性。当BiVO4与Fe3O4质量比为5:1时,BiVO4/Fe3O4的催化活性最高,反应经过5 h,对亚甲基蓝的降解率达到92.0%,而单独使用BiVO4为催化剂,降解率仅为72.5%。这表明Fe3O4不仅起到磁基体的作用,还起到助催化剂的作用。BiVO4/Fe3O4在外加磁场的作用下很容易被分离,撤消外加磁场后,通过搅拌又可重新分散。BiVO4/Fe3O4 3次回收后的降解率仍高于80%。     

Preparation of carbon coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their application for solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental water samples

The carbon coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/C) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reaction and applied as solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents to extract trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from environmental water samples. The Fe₃O₄/C sorbents possess high adsorption capacity and extraction efficiency due to strong adsorption ability of carbon materials and large surface area of nanoparticles, and only 50 mg of sorbents are required to extract PAHs from 1000 mL water samples. The adsorption attains equilibrium rapidly and analytes are eluted with acetonitrile readily. Salinity and solution pH have no obvious effect on the recoveries of PAHs, which avoids fussy adjustment to water sample before extraction. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits of PAHs are in the range of 0.2–0.6 ng L⁻¹. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by the recoveries of spiked samples. Good recoveries (76–110%) with low relative standard deviations from 0.8% to 9.7% are achieved. This new SPE method provides several advantages, such as high extraction efficiency, high breakthrough volumes, convenient extraction procedure, and short analysis times. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Fe₃O₄/C nanoparticles are used for the pretreatment of environmental water samples.     

Reprint of: Extraction of fluoxetine from aquatic and urine samples using sodium dodecyl sulfate-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles followed by spectrofluorimetric determination

A new method based on the combination of magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) and spectrofluorimetric determination was developed for isolation and preconcentration of fluoxetine form aquatic and biological samples using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) as a sorbent. The unique properties of Fe₃O₄ NPs including high surface area and strong magnetism were utilized effectively in the MSPE process. Effect of different parameters influencing the extraction efficiency of fluoxetine including the amount of Fe₃O₄ and SDS, pH value, sample volume, extraction time, desorption solvent and time were optimized. Under optimized condition, the method was successfully applied to the extraction of fluoxetine from water and urine samples and absolute recovery amount of 85%, detection limit of 20 μg L⁻¹ and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.4% were obtained. The method linear response was over a range of 50–1000 μg L⁻¹ with R² = 0.9968. The relative recovery in different aquatic and urine matrices were investigated and values of 80% to 104% were obtained. The whole procedure showed to be conveniently fast, efficient and economical for extraction of fluoxetine from environmental and biological samples.     

磁性Fe3O4/石墨烯Photo-Fenton催化剂的制备及其催化活性

采用共沉淀法制备磁性Fe3O4/GE(石墨烯)催化剂,实现Fe3O4纳米颗粒生长和氧化石墨烯还原同步进行,采用FTIR、XRD、TEM及低温氮吸附-脱附等对Fe3O4/GE纳米催化剂的物相、颗粒粒径及比表面积进行了表征。在H2O2存在条件下,以亚甲基蓝为目标降解物,考察了在模拟太阳光下Fe3O4/GE的催化活性,当氧化石墨烯与Fe3O4的质量比为1∶10时,经过2 h催化反应,在pH=6条件下,对亚甲基蓝的降解率达到98.7%,经过10次循环使用后对染料溶液的降解率仍保持在95.7%以上,明显优于纯的Fe3O4。     

Fabrication of graphene/Fe3O4@polythiophene nanocomposite and its application in the magnetic solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental water samples

Polythiophene (PT) was used as a surface modifier of graphene/Fe₃O₄ (G/Fe₃O₄) composite to increase merit of it, and also overcome some limitations and disadvantages of using G/Fe₃O₄ alone as solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent. An in-situ chemical polymerization method was employed to prepare G/Fe₃O₄@PT nanocomposites. Application of this newly designed material in the magnetic SPE (MSPE) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as model analytes, in the environmental water samples was investigated. The characterization of the hybrid material was performed using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Seven important parameters, affecting the extraction efficiency of PAHs, including: amount of adsorbent, adsorption and desorption times, type and volume of the eluent solvent, initial sample volume and salt content of the sample were evaluated. The optimum extraction conditions were obtained as: 4 min for extraction time, 20 mg for sorbent amount, 100 mL for initial sample volume, toluene as desorption solvent, 0.6 mL for desorption solvent volume, 6 min for desorption time and 30% (w/v) for NaCl concentration. Good performance data were obtained at the optimized conditions. Detection limits were in the range of 0.009–0.020 μg L⁻¹ in the real matrix. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges from 0.03 to 80 μg L⁻¹ with correlation coefficients (R²) between 0.995 and 0.998 for all the analytes. Relative standard deviations were ranged from 4.3 to 6.3%. Appropriate recovery values, in the range of 83–107%, were also obtained for the real sample analysis.     

超声法制备Au/Fe_3O_4及其催化还原4-硝基苯酚性能

通过简易的超声法以及原位还原法成功制备出了负载型可再生Au/Fe_3O_4催化剂。利用3-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷(APTES)作为有机桥键,将Au固定在Fe_3O_4的表面,得到单分散磁性Au/Fe_3O_4。Au0在氨基的作用下不会团聚,因此具有较高的催化活性及稳定性。XRD、HRTEM、EDS和XPS等测试结果表明Au/Fe_3O_4已被成功制备。将其用于催化还原4-硝基苯酚得到4-氨基苯酚,表现出较高的催化活性,速率常数可达0.225 6 min~(-1)。重复性实验表明该催化剂具有良好的稳定性,反应9个循环之后,催化还原反应的转化率仍可达到94%。     

超声法制备Au/Fe3O4及其催化还原4-硝基苯酚性能

通过简易的超声法以及原位还原法成功制备出了负载型可再生Au/Fe₃O₄催化剂。利用3-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷（APTES）作为有机桥键,将Au固定在Fe₃O₄的表面,得到单分散磁性Au/Fe₃O₄。Au⁰在氨基的作用下不会团聚,因此具有较高的催化活性及稳定性。XRD、HRTEM、EDS和XPS等测试结果表明Au/Fe₃O₄已被成功制备。将其用于催化还原4-硝基苯酚得到4-氨基苯酚,表现出较高的催化活性,速率常数可达0.225 6 min^-1。重复性实验表明该催化剂具有良好的稳定性,反应9个循环之后,催化还原反应的转化率仍可达到94%。     

Microwave enhanced alkaline digestion of silicate samples for determination of Fe2O3

A novel approach to the study of microwave enhanced alkaline digestion was developed for rapid digestion of silicate samples. By using alkali metal hydroxide solution as microwave digestion solvent, the feasibility and principle of digestion were discussed for the determination of Fe₂O₃ contents in quartz, kaolin, feldspar and soda-lime-silica glass. The results obtained from four standard samples and six real world samples are in good agreement with the certified values, and are comparable to the predicted results from traditional alkaline digestion method. All the above demonstrates that this new proposed method is precise, accurate and can provide a simple, fast and energy saving procedure for the determination of components in silicate samples.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4 particle-chain microwires in applied magnetic field

Fe₃O₄ particle-chain microwires are firstly synthesized under magnetic field by a simple coprecipitation method. The increase of magnetic field caused the lengthening of the wires, and doubled densities of starting solution lead to a halved diameter. It was supposed that the magnetic field gradient and the particular growing process of particles are the main factors of the formation of these microwires. Magnetic hysteresis curves of Fe₃O₄ microwires were also measured.     

Preparation of Fe3O4 nanoparticle enclosure hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the determination of aconitines in human serum samples

A magnetic carbon nanomaterial for Fe₃O₄ enclosure hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Fe₃O₄-EC-MWCNTs-OH) was prepared by the aggregating effect of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle on MWCNTs-OH, and combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/diode array detection (DAD) to determine the aconitines (aconitine, hypaconitine and mesaconitine) in human serum samples. Compared with other extraction modes investigated in experiment, Fe₃O₄-EC-MWCNTs-OH sorbents showed a good affinity to target analytes. Some important parameters that could influence extraction efficiency of aconitines, including the extraction mode, amounts of Fe₃O₄-EC-MWCNTs-OH, pH of sample solution, extraction time, desorption solvent and desorption time, were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the recoveries of spiked serum samples were between 98.0% and 103.0%; relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 0.9% to 6.2%. The correlation coefficients varied from 0.9996 to 0.9998. The limits of detection ranged from 3.1 ng mL⁻¹ to 4.1 ng mL⁻¹ at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The experimental results showed that the proposed method was feasible for the analysis of aconitines in serum samples.     

Polythiophene-coated Fe3O4 superparamagnetic nanocomposite: Synthesis and application as a new sorbent for solid-phase extraction

In the present work, a novel type of superparamagnetic nanosorbent, polythiophene-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@PTh NPs), have been successfully synthesized. The synthesized NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The synthesized Fe₃O₄@PTh NPs were applied as an efficient sorbent for extraction and preconcentration of several typical plasticizer compounds (di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and dioctyl adipate (DOA)) from environmental water samples. Separation of Fe₃O₄@PTh NPs from the aqueous solution was simply achieved by applying external magnetic field. Separation and determination of the extracted plasticizers was performed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID). Several variables affecting the extraction efficiency of the analytes i.e., amount of NPs sorbent, salt concentration, extraction time, and desorption conditions were investigated and optimized. The best working conditions were as follows: amount of sorbent, 100 mg; NaCl concentration, 30% (w/v); sample volume, 45 mL; extraction time, 10 min; and 100 μL of ethyl acetate for desorption of the analytes within 2 min. Under optimized conditions, preconcentration factors for DBP, DEHP, and DOA were obtained as 86, 194, and 213, respectively. The calibration curves were linear (R² > 0.998) in the concentration range of 0.4–100 μg L⁻¹ for both DEHP and DOA and 0.7–100 μg L⁻¹ for DBP. The limits of detection (LODs) were obtained in the range of 0.2–0.4 μg L⁻¹. The intra-day relative standard deviations (RSDs%) based on four replicates were obtained in the range of 4.0–12.3%. The proposed procedure was applied to analysis of water samples including river water, bottled mineral water, and boiling water exposed to polyethylene container (after cooling) and recoveries between 85 and 99% and RSDs lower than 12.8% were obtained.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation behavior of guanosine at graphene, chitosan and Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode and its determination

A graphene, chitosan and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (nano-Fe₃O₄) modified glassy carbon electrode (graphene-chitosan/nano-Fe₃O₄/GCE) was fabricated. The modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscope and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical oxidation behavior of guanosine was investigated in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The experimental results indicated that the modified electrode exhibited an electrocatalytic and adsorptive activities towards the oxidation of guanosine. The transfer electron number (n), transfer proton number (m) and electrochemically effective surface area (A) were calculated. Under the optimized conditions, the oxidation peak current was proportional to guanosine concentration in the range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.5 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ with the correlation coefficient of 0.9939 and the detection limit of 7.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). Moreover, the modified electrode showed good ability to discriminate the electrochemical oxidation response of guanosine, guanine and adenosine. The proposed method was further applied to determine guanosine in spiked urine samples and traditional Chinese medicines with satisfactory results.