PES magnetic microspheres: preparation and performance for the removal of endocrine disruptor-BPA

Abstract

In this paper, polyethersulfone (PES) magnetic microspheres were prepared via an in situ reaction method. Firstly, the PES microspheres were produced by an electrospray method and then the magnetic properties were delivered to the microspheres through in situ reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with image analysis software, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to investigate the structure and morphology of the magnetic microspheres. The results indicate that the majority of the magnetic nanoparticles are dispersed uniformly and embedded into the surface of the PES electrosprayed microspheres. A vibrating sample magnetometer was used to evaluate the magnetic properties of the PES magnetic microspheres and the saturation magnetization values were found to be up to 23.96 emu g⁻¹. A separation test showed that the prepared magnetic microspheres can realize fast separation under an external magnetic field. Additionally, compared with the original microsphere counterparts, PES magnetic microspheres exhibited better adsorption capacity and reuse performance in adsorption tests. These results indicate that the PES in situ magnetic microspheres have the potential to be used in water treatment and environmental depuration.