Heavy metals removal by EDTA-functionalized chitosan graphene oxide nanocomposites

Document Type

Article

Department

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Abstract

Graphene-based two-dimensional materials have been explored in a variety of applications, including the treatment of heavy-metal-rich water/wastewater. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-functionalized magnetic chitosan (CS) graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites (EDTA-MCS/GO) were synthesized using a reduction precipitation method and applied to the removal of heavy metals, such as Pb2+, Cu2+, and As3+, from aqueous solutions. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, MPMS, zeta-potential and BET analyses. The influence of various operating parameters, such as pH, temperature, metal ion concentration, and contact time on the removal of the metal ions, was investigated. Owing to the large specific surface area, hydrophilic behavior, and functional moieties, the magnetic nanocomposite demonstrated excellent removal ability with a maximum adsorption capacity of 206.52, 207.26, and 42.75 mg g−1 for Pb2+, Cu2+, and As3+, respectively. The equilibrium data was evaluated by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, while the heavy metal adsorption reaction kinetics was analyzed by Lagergren pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The nanocomposite was reused in four successive adsorption–desorption cycles, revealing a good regeneration capacity of the adsorbent.

Comments

Pagination and volume are not provided by the author/publisher. This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

RSC Advances

DOI

DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA28406J

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