In
this study, we synthesized a series of diisobutylamine-functionalized
graphene oxides as adsorbents (GO-DEA-DIBA) by adjusting synthetic
conditions for the efficient adsorption of rhenium(VII) (Re(VII)).
Results indicated that the best mass ratio was 10 mg of sodium carbonate
to 5 g of distilled water, and a cooling time of 44 min could prevent
the exfoliation of functional groups and achieve higher uptake capacity
of Re(VII). The maximum uptake of Re(VII) was found to be 140.82 mg
g–1 at 303 K with an initial Re(VII) concentration
of 800 mg L–1. More importantly, it can be clearly
seen that mixed ions (Cu2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+) could almost separate with Re(VII) on the adsorption of
ReO4
– onto the GO-DEA-DIBA with a weak
acidity solution. Re(VII) was adsorbed on the GO-DEA-DIBA via charge
interactions between tertiary amine groups and ReO4
– by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
analysis. In addition, adsorption behavior, adsorption isotherms,
desorption, and regeneration are also discussed. This study not only
discusses the thermodynamic stability of functional graphene oxide
but also provides a new method for the separation of Re(VII) from
solution using GO-DEA-DIBA owing to its environmental friendliness
and relatively low cost.