Magnetic iron(III)‐based framework composites for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of fungicides from environmental water samples

We adopted a facile hydrofluoric acid‐free hydro‐/solvothermal method for the preparation of four magnetic iron(III)‐based framework composites (MIL‐101@Fe₃O₄‐COOH, MIL‐101‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄‐COOH, MIL‐53@Fe₃O₄‐COOH, and MIL‐53‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄‐COOH). The obtained four magnetic iron(III)‐based framework composites were applied to magnetic separation and enrichment of the fungicides (prochloraz, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, and iprodione) from environmental samples before high‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis. MIL‐101‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄‐COOH showed more remarkable pre‐concentration ability for the fungicides as compared to the other three magnetic iron(III)‐based framework composites. The extraction parameters affecting enrichment efficiency including extraction time, sample pH, elution time, and the desorption solvent were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the standard curve of correlation coefficients were all above 0.991, the limits of detection were 0.04–0.4 μg/L, and the relative standard deviations were below 10.2%. The recoveries of two real water samples ranged from 71.1–99.1% at the low spiking level (30 μg/L). Therefore, the MIL‐101‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄‐COOH composites are attractive for the rapid and efficient extraction of fungicides from environmental water samples.     

Dicationic polymeric ionic‐liquid‐based magnetic material as an adsorbent for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of organophosphate pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Magnetic particles modified with a dicationic polymeric ionic liquid are described as a new adsorbent in magnetic solid‐phase extraction. They were obtained through the copolymerization of a 1,8‐di(3‐vinylimidazolium)octane‐based ionic liquid with vinyl‐modified SiO₂@Fe₃O₄, and were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The modified magnetic particles are effective in the extraction of organophosphate pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Also, they can provide different extraction performance for the selected analytes including fenitrothion, parathion, fenthion, phoxim, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene, where the extraction efficiency is found to be in agreement with the hydrophobicity of analytes. Various factors influencing the extraction efficiency, such as, the amount of adsorbent, extraction, and desorption time, and type and volume of the desorption solvent, were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a good linearity ranging from 1–100 μg/L is obtained for all analytes, except for parathion (2–200 μg/L), where the correlation coefficients varied from 0.9960 to 0.9998. The limits of detection are 0.2–0.8 μg/L, and intraday and interday relative standard deviations are 1.7–7.4% (n = 5) and 3.8–8.0% (n = 3), respectively. The magnetic solid‐phase extraction combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography can be applied for the detection of trace targets in real water samples with satisfactory relative recoveries and relative standard deviations.     

Cost‐efficient magnetic nanoporous carbon derived from citrus peel for the selective adsorption of seven insecticides

A magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent that consisted of citrus peel‐derived nanoporous carbon and silica‐coated Fe₃O₄ microspheres (C/SiO₂@Fe₃O₄) was successfully fabricated by co‐precipitation. As a modifier for magnetic microspheres, citrus peel‐derived nanoporous carbon was not only economical and renewable for its raw material, but exerted enormous nanosized pore structure, which could directly influence the type of adsorbed analytes. The C/SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ also possessed the advantages of Fe₃O₄ microspheres like superparamagnetism, which could be easily separated magnetically after adsorption. Integrating the superior of biomass‐derived nanoporous carbon and Fe₃O₄ microspheres, the as‐prepared C/SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ showed high extraction efficiency for target analytes. The obtained material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, which demonstrated that C/SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ was successfully synthesized. Under the optimal conditions, the adsorbent was selected for the selective adsorption of seven insecticides before gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection, and good linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 2–200 μg/kg with the correlation coefficient ranging from 0.9952 to 0.9997. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.03–0.39 μg/kg. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the enrichment and detection of seven insecticides in real vegetable samples.     

Fe3O4/reduced graphene oxide‐carbon nanotubes composite for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction and HPLC determination of sulfonamides in milk

A novel magnetic adsorbent Fe₃O₄/reduced graphene oxide‐carbon nanotubes, was prepared by one‐pot solvothermal synthesis method. It was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry. The diameter of Fe₃O₄ microparticles was about 350 nm, which were covered by carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide sheets, while carbon nanotubes inserted between the reduced graphene oxide sheets effectively prevented their aggregation. The composite had large surface area and good magnetic property, suiting for magnetic solid‐phase extraction and the determination of sulfonamides, by coupling with high‐performance liquid chromatography. Under the optimized conditions (including extraction time, amount of adsorbent, solution pH, ionic strength and desorption conditions), a good linear was achieved in the concentration range of 5–500 μg/L and the low limits of detection and low limits of quantification were 0.35–1.32 and 1.16–4.40 μg/L, respectively. The enrichment factors were estimated to be 24.72 to 30.15 fold. The proposed method was applied for the detection of sulfonamides in milk sample and the recoveries were 88.4–105.9%, with relative standard deviations of 0.74–5.38%.     

Extraction of diclofenac by SiO2‐NH2@Fe3O4 and its determination: Central composite design

In this work, magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) were prepared by simple co‐precipitation method in aqueous medium and then subsequently modified with tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3‐aminopropyl triethylenesilane. The properties of the particles were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The SiO₂‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄ particles were successfully applied to simultaneously enrich and separate diclofenac from water, urine, and plasma samples. The method, which takes the advantages of both nanoparticle adsorption and magnetic phase separation from the sample solution, could avoid some of the time‐consuming experimental procedures related to the traditional solid phase extraction. The main parameters affecting extraction and desorption efficiency such as pH, amount of SiO₂‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄, volume of desorption solvent, and extraction time were screened. The significant variables were optimized by using central composite design. At optimum conditions values of variables set as pH = 4, 10 mg SiO₂‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄, 0.5 mL methanol, and 15 min extraction time and then the extracted diclofenac were injected to HPLC for analysis. The linear response (r² > 0.9992) was obtained in the range of 0.004–15 µg/mL with detection limit 0.0012 µg/mL and extraction recovery was in the range of 92–96% with RSD < 5% (n = 6).     

Highly efficient enrichment and adsorption of rare earth ions (yttrium(III)) by recyclable magnetic nitrogen functionalized mesoporous expanded perlite

A magnetic mesoporous expanded perlite-based (EP_d-APTES@Fe₃O₄) composite was designed and synthesized as a novel adsorbent for enrichment of rare earth ions in aqueous solution. Effect of various factors including the pH of solution, contact time and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption behaviors of yttrium(III) by the EP_d-APTES@Fe₃O₄ nano-material composites from aqueous solution was investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of the as-prepared materials for yttrium(III) ions was 383.2 mg/g. Among the various isotherm models, the Freundlich isotherm model could well described for the adsorption of the rare earth ions at pH 5.5 and 298.15 K. The kinetic analysis indicated that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second order kinetics model, and the rate-determining step might be chemical adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters declared that the adsorption process was endothermic. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the quantum chemical calculation indicated that the yttrium(III) ions were captured on the EP_d-APTES@Fe₃O₄ surface mainly by coordination with functional group of -NH₂. More importantly, the adsorption-desorption studies indicated that the EP_d-APTES@Fe₃O₄ nano-material composites had a high stability and good recyclability.     

Design of Sensitive Biocompatible Quantum‐Dots Embedded in Mesoporous Silica Microspheres for the Quantitative Immunoassay of Human Immunodeficiency Virus‐1 Antibodies

A novel sandwich‐type electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor was developed to enable the sensitive detection of HIV‐1 antibodies. This system incorporated mesoporous silica (mSiO₂) complexed with quantum dots (QDs) and nano‐gold particles, which were assembled to enhance signal detection. Magnetic beads were used by immobilizing the secondary anti‐IgG antibody. This was first employed to capture HIV‐1 antibody (Ab) to form a Fe₃O₄/anti‐IgG/Ab complex. A high loading and signal‐enhanced nanocomposite (hereafter referred to as Au‐mSiO₂‐CdTe) was used as a HIV‐1 antigen label. The Au‐mSiO₂‐CdTe nanocomposite was conjugated with the Fe₃O₄/anti‐IgG/Ab complex to form an immunocomplex (hereafter referred to as Fe₃O₄/anti‐IgG/Ab/HIV‐1/CdTe‐mSiO₂‐Au). This complex could be further separated by an external magnetic field to produce ECL signals. Due to the large specific surface area and pore volume of mSiO₂, the loading of the CdTe QDs was markedly increased. Thus, the loaded QDs released a powerful chemiluminescent signal with a concordantly increased sensitivity of the immunosensor. The immunosensor was highly sensitive, and displayed a linear range of responses for HIV‐1 antibody across a dilution range of 1 : 1500 through 1 : 50 with the detection limit of 1 : 4500. The immunoassay can be a promising candidate in early diagnosis of HIV infection.     

Loading controlled magnetic carbon dots for microwave‐assisted solid‐phase extraction: Preparation,extraction evaluation and applications in environmental aqueous samples

An adsorbent of carbon dot@poly(glycidyl methacrylate)@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles has been developed for the microwave‐assisted magnetic solid‐phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental aqueous samples prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV/visible spectroscopy detection. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The chain length and amount of carbon dots attached on them can be easily controlled through changing polymerization conditions, which contributes to tunable extraction performance. The successful fabrication of the nano‐adsorbent was confirmed by transmission electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The extraction performance of the adsorbent was evaluated by using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as model analytes. The key factors influencing the extraction, such as microwave power, adsorption time, desorption time and desorption solvents were investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the microwave‐assisted method afforded magnetic solid‐phase extraction with short extraction time, wide dynamic linear range (0.02–200 μg/L), good linearity (R² ≥ 98.57%) and low detection limits (20–90 ng/L) for model analytes. The adsorbent was successfully applied for analyzing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental aqueous samples and the recoveries were in the range of 86.0–124.2%. Thus, the proposed method is a promising candidate for fast and reliable preconcentration of trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in real water samples.     

One‐pot synthesis of magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework/grapheme oxide composites for the extraction of neonicotinoid insecticides from environmental water samples

Magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework 67/graphene oxide composites were synthesized by one‐pot method at room temperature for the first time. Electrostatic interactions between positively charged metal ions and both negatively charged graphene oxide and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were expected to chemically stabilize magnetic composites to generate homogeneous magnetic products. The additional amount of graphene oxide and stirring time of graphene oxide, Co²⁺, and Fe₃O₄ solution were investigated. The zeolitic imidazolate framework 67 and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were uniformly attached on the surface of graphene oxide. The composites were applied to magnetic solid‐phase extraction of five neonicotinoid insecticides in environmental water samples. The main experimental parameters such as amount of added magnetic composites, extraction pH, ionic strength, and desorption solvent were optimized to increase the capacity of adsorbing neonicotinoid insecticides. The results show limits of detection at signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 were 0.06–1.0 ng/mL under optimal conditions. All analytes exhibited good linearity with correlation coefficients of higher than 0.9915. The relative standard deviations for five neonicotinoid insecticides in environmental samples ranged from 1.8 to 16.5%, and good recoveries from 83.5 to 117.0% were obtained, indicating that magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework 67/graphene oxide composites were feasible for analysis of trace analytes in environmental water samples.     

Graphene‐Fe3O4 as a magnetic solid‐phase extraction sorbent coupled to capillary electrophoresis for the determination of sulfonamides in milk

Graphene‐Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared using one‐step solvothermal method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results demonstrated that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were homogeneously anchored on graphene nanosheets. The as‐synthesized graphene‐Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were employed as sorbent for magnetic solid‐phase extraction of sulfonamides in milk prior to capillary electrophoresis analysis. The optimal capillary electrophoresis conditions were as follows: 60 mmol/L Na₂HPO₄ containing 2 mmol/L ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt and 24% v/v methanol as running buffer, separation voltage of 14 kV, and detection wavelength of 270 nm. The parameters affecting extraction efficiency including desorption solution, the amount of graphene‐Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, extraction time, and sample pH were investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions, good linearity (5–200 μg/L) with correlation coefficients ≥0.9910 was obtained. The limits of detection were 0.89–2.31 μg/L. The relative standard deviations for intraday and interday analyses were 4.9–8.5 and 4.0–9.0%, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of sulfonamides in milk samples with recoveries ranging from 62.7 to 104.8% and relative standard deviations less than 10.2%.     

Decyl‐perfluorinated magnetic mesoporous microspheres for extraction and analysis perfluorinated compounds in water using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

In this work, the interior‐walls decyl‐perfluorinated functionalized magnetic mesoporous microspheres (F₁₇–Fe₃O₄@mSiO₂) were synthesized for the first time, and applied as adsorbents to extract and concentrate perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) from water samples. The fluorous functionalized interior pore‐walls contributed to the high‐selective preconcentration of PFCs due to fluorous affinity; and abundant silanol groups on the exterior surface of microspheres contributed to the good dispersibility in water sample. Four kinds of PFCs were selected as model analytes, including perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorododecanoic acid, and perfluorooctane sulphonate. In addition, UHPLC‐ESI/MS/MS was introduced to the fast and sensitive detection of the analytes after sample pretreatment. Important parameters of the extraction procedure were optimized, including salinity, eluting solvent, the amount of F₁₇–Fe₃O₄@mSiO₂ microspheres, and extraction time. The optimized procedure took only 10 min to extract analytes with high recoveries and merely 800‐μL acetonitrile to elute analytes from the magnetic adsorbents. Validation experiments showed good linearity (0.994–0.998), precision (2.6–7.6%), high recovery (93.4–105.7%) of the proposed method, and the limits of detection were from 0.008 to 0.125 μg/L. The F₁₇–Fe₃O₄@mSiO₂ magnetic microspheres have the advantages of great dispersibility in aqueous solution, high specificity of extraction, large surface area, and efficient separation ability. The results showed that the proposed method based on F₁₇–Fe₃O₄@mSiO₂ microspheres is a simple, fast, and sensitive tool for the analysis of PFCs in water sample.     

Preparation of iron‐based MIL‐101 functionalized polydopamine@Fe3O4 magnetic composites for extracting sulfonylurea herbicides from environmental water and vegetable samples

Here, we describe a simple one‐pot solvothermal method for synthesizing MIL‐101(Fe)@polydopamine@Fe₃O₄ composites from polydopamine‐modified Fe₃O₄ particles. The composite was used as a magnetic adsorbent to rapidly extract sulfonylurea herbicides. The herbicides were then analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The best possible extraction efficiencies were achieved by optimizing the most important extraction parameters, including desorption conditions, extraction time, adsorbent dose, salt concentration, and the pH of the solution. Good linearity was found (correlation coefficients >0.9991) over the herbicide concentration range 1–150 μg/L using the optimal conditions. The limits of detection (the concentrations giving signal/noise ratios of 3) were low, at 0.12–0.34 μg/L, and repeatability was good (the relative standard deviations were <4.8%, n = 6). The method was used successfully to determine four sulfonylurea herbicides in environmental water and vegetable samples, giving satisfactory recoveries of 87.1–108.9%. The extraction efficiency achieved using MIL‐101(Fe)@polydopamine@Fe₃O₄ was compared with the extraction efficiencies achieved using other magnetic composites (polydopamine@Fe₃O₄, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)‐1@polydopamine@Fe₃O₄, and MIL‐100(Fe)@polydopamine@Fe₃O₄). The results showed that the magnetic MIL‐101(Fe)@polydopamine@Fe₃O₄ composites have great potential for the extraction of trace sulfonylurea herbicides from various sample types.     

Graphene‐Based Composite with γ‐Fe2O3 Nanoparticle for the High‐Performance Removal of Endocrine‐Disrupting Compounds from Water

Graphene is a 2D sp²‐hybridized carbon sheet and an ideal material for the adsorption‐based separation of organic pollutants. However, such potential applications of graphene are largely limited, owing to their poor solubility and extensive aggregation properties through graphene? graphene interactions. Herein, we report the synthesis of graphene‐based composites with γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticle for the high‐performance removal of endocrine‐disrupting compounds (EDC) from water. The γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles partially inhibit these graphene? graphene interactions and offer water dispersibility of the composite without compromising much of the high surface area of graphene. In their dispersed form, the graphene component offers the efficient adsorption of EDC, whilst the magnetic iron‐oxide component offers easier magnetic separation of adsorbed EDC.     

Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes and β‐cyclodextrin for magnetic solid‐phase extraction of carbaryl and carbofuran

In this study, porous sandwich structure Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated by polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes and β‐cyclodextrin were prepared by surface polymerization and were used as the magnetic solid phase extraction adsorbent for the extraction and determination of carbaryl and carbofuran. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes and β‐cyclodextrin were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, and scanning electron microscopy. After optimizing the extraction conditions, a method that combined magnetic solid phase extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography was developed for the determination of carbaryl and carbofuran in apple. The method exhibited a good linearity in the range of 2–400 μg/kg for carbaryl and carbofuran (R² = 0.9995), respectively. The limits of detection were 0.5 μg/kg of carbaryl and 0.7 μg/kg for carbofuran in apple, respectively. Extraction recoveries ranged from 94.2 to 103.1% with the preconcentration factor of 300 and the relative standard deviations were less than 5.9%. These results indicated that the method combined magnetic solid phase extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography and was promising for the determination of carbaryl and carbofuran at trace amounts.     

Self‐Assembling Synthesis of Free‐standing Nanoporous Graphene–Transition‐Metal Oxide Flexible Electrodes for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries and Supercapacitors

The synthesis of nanoporous graphene by a convenient carbon nanofiber assisted self‐assembly approach is reported. Porous structures with large pore volumes, high surface areas, and well‐controlled pore sizes were achieved by employing spherical silica as hard templates with different diameters. Through a general wet‐immersion method, transition‐metal oxide (Fe₃O₄, Co₃O₄, NiO) nanocrystals can be easily loaded into nanoporous graphene papers to form three‐dimensional flexible nanoarchitectures. When directly applied as electrodes in lithium‐ion batteries and supercapacitors, the materials exhibited superior electrochemical performances, including an ultra‐high specific capacity, an extended long cycle life, and a high rate capability. In particular, nanoporous Fe₃O₄–graphene composites can deliver a reversible specific capacity of 1427.5 mAh g^?1 at a high current density of 1000 mA g^?1 as anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries. Furthermore, nanoporous Co₃O₄–graphene composites achieved a high supercapacitance of 424.2 F g^?1. This work demonstrated that the as‐developed freestanding nanoporous graphene papers could have significant potential for energy storage and conversion applications.     

Carboxymethylated polyethylenimine modified magnetic nanoparticles specifically for purification of His‐tagged protein

Employing immobilized metal‐ion affinity chromatography and magnetic separation could ideally provide a useful analytical strategy for purifying His‐tagged protein. In the current study, a facile route was designed to prepare CMPEI‐Ni²⁺@SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ (CMPEI=carboxymethylated polyethyleneimine) magnetic nanoparticles composed of a strong magnetic core of Fe₃O₄ and a Ni²⁺‐immobilized carboxymethylated polyethyleneimine coated outside shell, which was formed by electrostatic interactions between polyanionic electrolyte of carboxymethylated polyethyleneimine and positively charged surface of 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propylamin modified SiO₂@Fe₃O₄. The resulting CMPEI‐Ni²⁺@SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ composite nanoparticles displayed well‐uniform structure and high magnetic responsiveness. Hexa His‐tagged peptides and purified His‐tagged recombinant retinoid X receptor alpha were chosen as the model samples to evaluate the adsorption, capacity, and reusability of the composite nanoparticles. The results demonstrated the CMPEI‐Ni²⁺@SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles possessed rapid adsorption, large capacity, and good recyclability. The obtained nanoparticles were further used to purify His‐tagged protein in practical environment. It was found that the nanoparticles could selectively capture His‐tagged recombinant retinoid X receptor protein from complex cell lysate. Owing to its easy synthesis, large binding capacity, and good reusability, the prepared CMPEI‐Ni²⁺@SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles have great potential for application in biotechnological fields.     

Mesoporous Silica‐coated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Mixed Hemimicelles Solid‐phase Extraction of Phthalate Esters in Environmental Water Samples with Liquid Chromatographic Analysis

To extract, preconcentrate and determine the trace level of environmental contaminants, a novel mixed hemimicelles solid‐phase extraction (MHSPE) method based on mesoporous silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/meso‐SiO₂ NPs) as adsorbent was developed for extraction of phthalate esters from water samples. The Fe₃O₄/meso‐SiO₂ NPs were synthesized by using a combination of hydrothermal method and sol‐gel method. The obtained Fe₃O₄/meso‐SiO₂ NPs possessed a large surface area (570 m²/g), superparamagnetism, and uniform mesopores (2.8 nm). MHSPE parameters, such as the amount of surfactant, pH of sample, shaking and separation time, eluent and breakthrough volume that may influence the extraction of analytes greatly, were further investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction was completed in 20 min and a concentration factor of 500 was achieved by extracting 250 mL water sample. Detection limits obtained of butyl‐benzyl phthalate (BBP), di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DnBP), di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di‐n‐cotyl phthalate (DnOP) were 12, 21, 12, and 32 ng/L, respectively. The proposed method exhibited high extraction efficiency and relatively short time for extracting the target compounds.     

Engineered mesoporous ionic‐modified γ‐Fe2O3@hydroxyapatite decorated with palladium nanoparticles and its catalytic properties in water

A new mesoporous organic–inorganic nanocomposite was formulated and then used as stabilizer and support for the preparation of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). The properties and structure of Pd NPs immobilized on prepared 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) chemically tagged on mesoporous γ‐Fe₂O₃@hydroxyapatite (ionic modified (IM)‐MHA) were investigated using various techniques. The synergistic effects of the combined properties of MHA, DABCO and Pd NPs, and catalytic activity of γ‐Fe₂O₃@hydroxyapatite‐DABCO‐Pd (IM‐MHA‐Pd) were investigated for the Heck cross‐coupling reaction in aqueous media. The appropriate surface area and pore size of mesoporous IM‐MHA nanocomposite can provide a favourable hard template for immobilization of Pd NPs. The loading level of Pd in the nanocatalyst was 0.51 mmol g^?1. DABCO bonded to the MHA surface acts as a Pd NP stabilizer and can also lead to colloidal stability of the nanocomposite in aqueous solution. The results reveal that IM‐MHA‐Pd is highly efficient for coupling reactions of a wide range of aryl halides with olefins under green conditions. The superparamagnetic nature of the nanocomposite means that the catalyst to be easily separated from solution through magnetic decantation, and the catalytic activity of the recycled IM‐MHA‐Pd showed almost no appreciable loss even after six consecutive runs.     

Determination of sulfadimethoxine in milk with aptamer‐functionalized Fe3O4/graphene oxide as magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent prior to HPLC

An aptamer (Apt) functionalized magnetic material was prepared by covalently link Apt to Fe₃O₄/graphene oxide (Fe₃O₄/GO) composite by 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride and N‐hydroxysuccinimide, and then characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and vibration sample magnetometry. The obtained composite of Fe₃O₄/GO/Apt was employed as magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the selective preconcentration of sulfadimethoxine prior to analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Under the optimal conditions (sample pH of 4.0, sorbent dosage of 20 mg, extraction time of 3 h, and methanol‐5% acetic acid solution as eluent), a good linear relationship was obtained between the peak area and concentration of sulfadimethoxine in the range of 5.0 to 1500.0 µg/L with correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 3.3 µg/L. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of sulfadimethoxine in milk with recoveries in the range of 75.9‐92.3% and relative standard deviations less than 8.1%. The adsorption mechanism of Fe₃O₄/GO/Apt toward sulfadimethoxine was studied through the adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms, and the results show that the adsorption process fits well with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the adsorbate on Fe₃O₄/GO/Apt is multilayer and heterogeneous.     

Highly Ordered Mesoporous Few‐Layer Graphene Frameworks Enabled by Fe3O4 Nanocrystal Superlattices

While great progress has been achieved in the synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbons in the past decade, it still remains a challenge to prepare highly graphitic frameworks with ordered mesoporosity and high surface area. Reported herein is a simple synthetic methodology, based on the conversion of self‐assembled superlattices of Fe₃O₄ nanocrystals, to fabricate highly ordered mesoporous graphene frameworks (MGFs) with ultrathin pore walls consisting of three to six stacking graphene layers. The MGFs possess face‐centered‐cubic symmetry with interconnected mesoporosity, tunable pore width, and high surface area. Because of their unique architectures and superior structural durability, the MGFs exhibit excellent cycling stability and rate performance when used as anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries, thus retaining a specific capacity of 520 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 300 mA g^?1 after 400 cycles.