Partially Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified with Polyacrylonitrile for the Removal of Sm3+ from Water

Abstract

An in situ emulsion polymerization method was used for the synthesis of polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles amino-functionalized partially reduced graphene oxide (PAN-PRGO). After that, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles amino-functionalized partially reduced graphene oxide (HPAN-PRGO) nanocomposite was achieved by the modification of nitrile groups of the composite polymer chains to carboxylic groups, aminoethylene diamine, and amidoxime functional groups through partial hydrolysis using a basic solution of sodium hydroxide for 20 min. Different synthesized materials were characterized and compared using well-known techniques including transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectra, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The nanocomposite was structured through the interaction between acrylonitrile’s (AN) nitrile groups and amino-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets’ amino groups to successfully graft polyacrylonitrile over the surface of functionalized nanosheets as approved by characterization techniques. The synthesized composite was examined for the removal of samarium ions (Sm3+) from water. Different experimental conditions including pH, contact time, initial concentration, and adsorbent dose were investigated to determine the optimum conditions for the metal capture from water. The optimum conditions were found to be a contact time of 15 min, pH 6, and 0.01 g of adsorbent dosage. The experimental results found, in a good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacity of Sm3+ uptake was equal to 357 mg/g. A regeneration and reusability study of synthesized composite up to six cycles indicated the ability to use HPAN-PRGO nanocomposite several times for Sm3+ uptake. The obtained results prove that this polymer-based composite is a promising adsorbent for water treatment that must be studied for additional pollutants removal in the future.

The Synthesis of Magnetic Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for the Removal of Reactive Orange 12 Dye

“…Various methods including biological treatment, anodic oxidation, oxidation, electrocoagulation, photocatalysis, flocculation/coagulation, adsorption, and membrane filtration were examined and used for the treatment of real textile and dyeing effluents [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Among the available technologies, adsorption is the most used method due to cost-effectiveness, high efficiency, and easy operation [17]. The adsorption is a procedure based on the transfer of pollutant from aqueous solution to the adsorbent.…”

The Biocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes Using Laccase Immobilized Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…The enzyme immobilization was reached using different types of materials, including inorganic materials (silica, metal oxides, and clays) [13][14][15], organic materials (natural and synthetic polymers) [16,17], and hybrids (joining organic and inorganic materials) [18]. Among all the materials used, nanomaterials are widely used due to their exceptional properties [19][20][21][22][23][24], such as high surface area, ease of synthesis, low cost, and ease of modification that can enhance the enzymatic activity. Many studies reported the successful immobilization of laccase on the surface of nanomaterials, to improve its stability and catalytic properties, for the removal of the dye from aqueous media.…”

Special Issue on “Tailoring Polymeric Materials for Specific Applications”

“…This Special Issue on "Tailoring Polymeric Materials for Specific Applications" gathers recent work on the design and modification of polymeric materials for a variety of applications. These applications include packaging and biodegradable films [1,2], capacitors [3], and water treatment [4][5][6]. In addition, papers which provide a better understanding of specific processes, including chain-end coupling [7], additive manufacturing [8], and surface characterization [9], also lie within this Special Issue.…”

“…Nitrogen and oxygen containing groups (such as amine, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and cyano groups) are often used in sorption and removal of metal ions in aqueous environments. For example, samarium (III) may be removed using polyacrylonitrile-partially reduced graphene oxide (PAN-PRGO) [4] and chromium (VI) may be removed using polypyrrole doped with magnetic hematite (Fe 3 O 4 )-chitosan nanoparticles (Ppy@magnetic chitosan nanocomposite) [5]. Similarly, removal of organic compounds, such as dyes, from wastewater is also dependent on the attraction between the analyte and absorbent.…”