Microspheres of the
graphene oxide
and crospolyvinylpyrrolidone composite (GO–PVPP) were prepared
via suspension polymerization and investigated for the adsorption
of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) from wastewater. The microspheres
were thoroughly characterized using scanning electron microscopy,
infrared spectroscopy, N
2
physisorption, elemental analysis,
X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The GO–PVPP
microspheres comprised GO sheets on the surface and demonstrated good
thermal stability, good swelling rate, and excellent adsorption capacity
of 2,4,6-TCP (up to 466.77 mg/g). The adsorptions were determined
as a function of pH, temperature, adsorbent loading, adsorption time,
and initial content of 2,4,6-TCP in the solutions. The sorption kinetics
was satisfactorily modeled using the pseudo-second-order rate equation,
and the sorption equilibrium can be described using the Freundlich
model. The 2,4,6-TCP adsorption by GO–PVPP was shown to be
endothermic and spontaneous. The reusability of GO–PVPP was
also demonstrated by the adsorption and desorption cycles.