Preparation of magnetic Fe3O4@Cu/Ce microspheres for efficient catalytic oxidation co-adsorption of arsenic(III)

Magnetic Fe3O4@Cu/Ce microspheres were successfully prepared by one-step solvothermal approach and further utilized to remediate toxic arsenic (As(III)) pollution. The effects of Cu/Ce elements co-doping on the crystal structure, catalytic oxidation and adsorption behaviors of magnetic microspheres were researched systematically. The results showed that with the aid of Cu/Ce elements, the grain size reduced, lattice defects increased, and the oxygen vacancies and surface hydroxyl groups were improved. Therefore, Cu/Ce elements endowed magnetic Fe3O4@Cu/Ce microspheres with excellent As(III) removal performance, whose maximum adsorption capacity reached 139.19 mg/g. The adsorption mechanism mainly involved catalytic oxidant co-adsorption. This research developed a feasible strategy for the preparation of high efficiency magnetic adsorbent to enhance the removal of As(III).