Synthesis and characterization of graphite/magnetite composite as low cost potential adsorbent from graphite waste

Abstract

The comparative properties of pre-treated graphite waste and composite with magnetite nanoparticles were studied. The present work describes the thermal-mechanical method for pre-treated graphite electrode waste and chemical modification on the pre-treated graphite waste with magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4). The raw material is graphite electrode waste. The variables of temperature and time that affected the properties of pre-treated graphite waste was also observed. Pre-treated of graphite electrode waste was prepared via thermal process at temperatures of 60, 75, 90°C and various times of 30, 60 and 90 minutes, followed by mechanical crushing of the resultant graphite waste to 75 μm particle size. The synthetic material (graphite waste/Fe3O4 composite) was prepared with hydrochloric acid (0.1 M) for activation of the pre-treated graphite waste, followed by chemical modification with pre-treated graphite waste to Fe3O4 mass ratio 1: 1 (w/w). The experimental results showed that the pre-treated graphite waste are non-porous. Effect of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) revealed that the surface area of graphite waste/Fe3O4 composite increased from 8.44 m2/g to 64.58 m2/g. The EDX composition of Fe increased from 0.08 to 38.68 wt%, indicated that the modification of Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto graphite waste was carried out successfully. This data is useful for the preliminary treatment process of graphite electrode waste for further applications that require adsorbent preparation and modification.