Highly Efficient Encapsulation and Phase Separation of Apolar Molecules by Magnetic Shell‐by‐Shell‐Coated Nanocarriers in Water.

Abstract: We report on the development of a supramolecular nanocarrier concept that allows for the encapsulation and separation of small apolar molecules from water. The nanocarriers consist of shell‐by‐shell‐coated nanoparticles such as TiO₂ and ferromagnetic Fe₃O₄. The first ligand shell is provided by covalently bound hexadecyl phosphonic acid (PAC₁₆) and the second shell by noncovalently assembled amphiphiles rendering the hybrid architecture soluble in water. Agitation of these constructs with water containing the hydrocarbons G1–G4, the fluorescent marker G5, the polychlorinated biphenyl PCB 77, or crude oil leads to a very efficient uptake (up to 411 %) of the apolar contaminant. In case of the hybrids containing a Fe₃O₄ core, straightforward phase separation by the action of an external magnet is provided. The load can easily be released by a final treatment with an organic solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]