Amphiphilic Magnetic Particles Dispersed in Water and Oil for the Removal of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Microplastics

The study explores the synthesis and versatile properties of amphiphilic magnetic particles (AMPs) achieved through sequential coatings. Modulating the hydrophobic content in the synthesis process allows for the formation of hydrophilic, amphiphilic, and hydrophobic magnetic particles, with stable AMPs synthesis achieved at a ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic portions of approximately 71 to 29%. These AMPs exhibited outstanding dispersion in both oil and water within an oil/water mixture. Polyethylenimine in the AMP primarily enhances the removal of hydrophilic microparticles and facilitates dispersion in water. On the other hand, octadecylamine is specifically designed for the effective elimination of hydrophobic microparticles and their dispersion in oil. AMPs demonstrated effective removal capabilities for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic microparticles in water as well as hydrophobic microparticles in 100% oil. Our approach is also suited for eliminating hydrophobic microparticles dispersed in small quantities of oil floating on large bodies of water in real-world situations.