In-situ carbonization of ZIF-67 to fabricate magnetically Co/N-mC with high adsorption capacity toward water remediation

Abstract

Co and N co-modified mesoporous carbon composites (Co/N-mC) have been simply prepared at low cost from the carbonization of ZIF-67 wherein not only providing surface N-modification for promoting the adsorption behavior of acidic dyes, but also constructing a magnetic property for convenient separation. Co/N-mC composite presented the adsorption ability of MO (178 mg g−1) > RhB (141 mg g−1) (T = 25 °C, pH = 7.0, C0 = 20 mg L−1) because of its spacious porous structure (BET: 250.8 m2 g−1; pore size: 3.9 nm) and functional basic character (pyrrolic-N and pyridinic-N). Compared with basic dyes (RhB), mesoporous C doped with N improves the adsorption of acid dyes (MO). In addition, the magnetic properties introduced in the Co/N-mC make it easier to separate after adsorption and regeneration by an external magnetic field.