Magnetic Nanoparticles Embedded in Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Based Phenolic Resin for Cu (II) Adsorption

This study reports a new nanocomposite fabricated by incorporating magnetic CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles into phenolic formaldehyde resin. The nanomaterial was obtained by in-situ polymerization of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) in the presence of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles and were fully characterized by a variety of techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. The achieved nanocomposite showed potential capability in removing Cu (II) ions from aqueous solutions. Indeed, the Cu (II) ions adsorption amount reached 90% at pH ~ 8 with an adsorbent dose of 4.0 g/L and Cu(II) concentration of 50 mg/L. The nanocomposite can maintain the effective treatment of Cu(II) ion (only ~ 41% of efficiency loss) up to five cycles of regeneration. Owing to retaining the magnetic property through the regeneration cycles, this novel adsorbent would promise a high potential for long-term treatment of Cu(II) ions from polluted waters with easy separation.