Preparation and characterization of anion exchange resin decorated with magnetite nanoparticles for removal of p-toluic acid from aqueous solution

Polystyrene resin was covalently functionalized with diethanolamine and then decorated with magnetite nanoparticles by a novel and simple co-precipitation method using iron(II) sulfate as precursor. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. Adsorption of p-toluic acid (p-TA) onto magnetite-decorated polystyrene (MAG-PS) was studied and compared with that of diethanolamine-functionalized polystyrene and a commercial anion exchange resin. Results showed that the magnetite nanoparticles with an average size of 20.4nm were successfully formed on the surface of polystyrene resin, and MAG-PS was exhibited high affinity for the removal of p-TA. •.Polystyrene resin was covalently functionalized with diethanolamine.•.The functionalized adsorbents were decorated with magnetite nanoparticles (~20nm).•.Proposed magnetization procedure was high-efficient and relatively simple.•.Magnetic adsorbent was presented high affinity for removal of p-toluic acid.