Novel synthesis of graphene oxide with polystyrene for the adsorption of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes from wastewater

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe main goal of this research was to evaluate the adsorption capacity of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (TEX) onto graphene oxide nanoparticles grafted with polystyrene (GO-PS). Graphene oxide was polymerized using ammonium persulfate initiator. The properties of adsorbents were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared resonance spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. This paper includes the elements affective adsorption of TEX such as contact time, pH and adsorbent dose. The adsorption capacity was enhanced with the increasing of contact time and adsorbent dose, but changed insignificantly with pH. The findings demonstrated that an optimum TEX removal efficiency was achieved at contact time of 30 min and adsorbent dose of 1 g/L at 20 mg/L initial TEX concentration (solution pH = 7). The different models were applied to predict the mechanisms of adsorption. The isotherm and kinetic models which best displayed the outcome obtained were the Freundlich model and pseudo-second-order kinetic for TEX, respectively. In addition to the main aim of present study, GO-PS was regenerated for nine cycles and the reused adsorbent exhibited the adsorption ability equivalent to the original, approximately.

Preparation of mesoporous graphene oxide/SBA-15 hybrid nanoparticles as a potential adsorbent for removal of cationic dyes

“…Graphene oxide (GO) possesses numerous oxygen atoms on the surface in the form of epoxy, hydroxyl, and carboxyl groups [7]. Because of its large specific surface area and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, GO has been suggested as an effective adsorbent to remove organic and inorganic pollutants [8][9][10][11]. With increasing application of GO in wastewater treatment, some disadvantages restrict its practical application for dye removal.…”