Preparation of Magnetic Porous Aromatic Framework for Rapid and Efficient Removal of Organic Pollutants from Water

In this study, efforts were made to prepare a porous aromatic framework (PAF) with build-in magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4-PAF) for use as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of organic pollutants from water. The Fe3O4-PAF showed good handleability and could be recovered easily by magnetic separation. As a proof of concept, the adsorption properties of Fe3O4-PAF were investigated to remove 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and bisphenol A (BPA) from water. The Fe3O4-PAF showed a fast adsorption rate, high adsorption efficiency and high adsorption capacities. It adsorbed 2,4-DCP (0.1 mmol L−1) and BPA (0.1 mmol L−1) with pseudo-second-order rate constant (k2) of 2.1 and 3.54 g mg−1 min−1, respectively. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacities of 2,4-DCP and BPA onto Fe3O4-PAF were calculated to be 234.74 and 233.65 mg g−1, respectively. The Fe3O4-PAF also featured good tolerance to harsh conditions, facilitating its application in a real water environment. It could be regenerated easily and reused multiple times without obvious loss of efficiency. In summary, this study provides a general and effective way to improve the handleability of PAFs and expands the practical application of PAF-based materials.