Preparation and Application of Calix[4]arene Derivatives Bearing Pyridinium Units-Grafted Magnetite Nanoparticles for Removal of Dichromate and Arsenate Anions

Diamide derivatives of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (3a and 3b) have been immobilized onto [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane-modified Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles to obtain D-Calix-GEPPTMS-MNs (4a and 4b) and investigate their sorption capability toward arsenate and dichromate anions at different pH. The novel calixarene derivatives were characterized by a combination of FTIR and H-NMR analyses. The morphology of the magnetic nanoparticles was examined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Thermogravimetric Analyses (TGA). In addition, a simple and versatile method has been used for the determination of arsenate in aqueous solution. In this method, the absorption of the excess dye gradually decreases because of its conversion to colorless carbinol species by combining with methyl violet cation (MV+) and forming stable blue micro particles of (MV+)-molybdoarsenate.