Preparation and characterization of attapulgite/Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite

The magnetic nanocomposite, attapulgite/Fe3O4 (AT-Fe3O4), was prepared via a simple two-step method. First, charge-based interaction between Fe3+ and the surface of AT was formed, and then Fe3O4 nanoparticles was synthesized by co-precipitation technique in aqueous suspension of purified AT, which resulting in the formation of AT-Fe3O4. The obtained nanocomposite particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), BET surface area analyzer, high-resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results of FT-IR and XRD revealed the chemical composition and crystalline structure of the obtained composite. The results of morphology observation showed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles were well deposited on the surface of AT. Compared with pure AT, the AT-Fe3O4 nanocomposite exhibited better absorption and superparamagnetic properties, as revealed from the specific surface area analysis and magnetic measurements, respectively. The AT-Fe3O4 nanocomposite may find potential applications in waste water treatment.