Cellulose Nanocrystals-Based Nanocomposites for Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction of PAHs from Water Samples

Abstract

An eco-friendly magnetic nanocomposite based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was synthesized through a rapid and straightforward method, utilizing electrostatic interactions between Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles and CNCs (CNCs/Fe₂O₃). These nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These hybrid materials were effectively employed for the adsorption of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), naphthalene, fluorene and pyrene from water samples, using magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) as the preconcentration technique. Among the tested formulations, the CNCs/Fe₂O₃ with a mass ratio of 3/1 demonstrated the highest adsorption capacity for all three PAHs. The following order was observed for the extraction efficiency: pyrene > fluorene > naphthalene. MSPE process was optimized using a Plackett–Burman design to identify the most influential experimental parameters.