One-pot preparation of graphene oxide magnetic nanocomposites for the removal of tetrabromobisphenol A

Abstract

A simple solvothermal method was used to prepare monodisperse magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles attached onto graphene oxide (GO) sheets as adsorbents to remove tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) from an aqueous solution. These Fe₃O₄/GO (MGO) nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The adsorption capacity at different initial pH, contact duration, and temperature were evaluated. The kinetics of adsorption was found to fit the pseudo-second-order model perfectly. The adsorption isotherm well fitted the Langmuir model, and the theoretical maximum of adsorption capacity calculated by the Langmuir model was 27.26 mg·g^-1. The adsorption thermodynamics of TBBPA on the MGO nanocomposites was determined at 303 K, 313 K, and 323 K, respectively. The results indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The MGO nanocomposites were conveniently separated from the media by an external magnetic field within several seconds, and then regenerated in 0.2 M NaOH solution. Thus, the MGO nanocomposites are a promising candidate for TBBPA removal from wastewater.

Keywords

Magnetic / graphene oxide (GO) / adsorption / tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the supports provided by the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2008CB418202), special fund of State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (No. 09Z01ESPCT), and Major Projects on Control and Rectification of Water Body Pollution (No. 2008ZX07313-008).

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