Adhesion-Shielding based synthesis of interfacially active magnetic Janus nanoparticles

Abstract Hypothesis A unique adhesion-shielding (AS)-based method could be used to manufacture magnetic Janus nanoparticles (IM-JNPs) of promising interfacial activities, asymmetric surface wettability, and great performance on deoiling from oily wastewater under the external magnetic field. Experiments The IM-JNPs were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The interfacial properties of IM-JNPs were investigated by the measurements of interfacial pressure-area isotherms (π-A), oil–water interfacial tension, and the related crumpling ratio. The Langmuir-Blodgett (L-B) technique was used to determine the asymmetric surface wettability of the IM-JNPs. The performance and recyclability of IM-JNPs for treating oily wastewater were also investigated. Findings Using the proposed AS-based method, 17.9 g IM-JNPs were synthesized at a time and exhibited excellent interfacial properties, as indicated by decreasing oil–water interfacial tension from 38 to 27 mN/m. The crumpling behavior of the oil droplet further demonstrated the irreversible deposition of IM-JNPs at the oil droplet surfaces. The L-B technique and water contact angle measurement confirmed the asymmetric surface wettability of the IM-JNPs. The IM-JNPs were applied to successful removal of > 90% emulsified oil droplets from the household-produced oily wastewater under the external magnetic field while realizing facile recyclability and regeneration.