Preparation and application of magnetic activated carbons

IEC 263

Allen W. Apblett and Tarek Trad. Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Physical Sciences 107, Stillwater, OK 74078
Magnetic filtration can provide rapid, efficient removal of magnetic materials from a waste stream. However, since most pollutants are non-magnetic, it is necessary to use magnetically-active "extractants" to bind to pollutants and allow their separation by a magnetic filter. Excellent candidates for extractants are activated carbons with embedded particles of magnetic ceramic oxides such as ferrites or magnetite. Such materials can be used to separate petrochemicals, herbicides, and pesticides from water and break oil in water emulsions. We have found that magnetic activated carbons are conveniently synthesized by addition of iron and nickel salts to conventional recipes for activated carbon synthesis. The resulting materials have moderately high surface area and have proven useful for separation of oil, decane, and herbicides from water