Issue 116, 2015

Microbial preparation of magnetite/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for the removal of organic dyes from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Magnetic graphene materials are good adsorbents for pollutant removal from aqueous solutions. However, most chemical methods for the synthesis of magnetic adsorbents generally require the use of toxic reductants, proceed under rigorous conditions, and thus cause negative impacts on the environment. Here, an eco-friendly method applying the reduction activity of microbial cells was developed to prepare magnetite/reduced graphene oxide (MRGO) nanocomposites for adsorptive removal of organic dyes. The biogenic MRGO was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Factors (adsorbent dosage, contact time, solution pH and ionic strength, etc.) affecting the adsorption process were investigated. The adsorption behavior of MRGO fits well with a Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity of MRGO for methylene blue at 303 K was determined to be 144.9 mg g−1, which is higher than those of many other chemically synthesized magnetic graphene materials. Thermodynamic analysis revealed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Moreover, the MRGO adsorbent could be regenerated through a Fenton-like reaction and reused effectively in five successive runs. The biogenic MRGO has great potential for the treatment of wastewater containing dyes and other environmental pollutants.

Graphical abstract: Microbial preparation of magnetite/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for the removal of organic dyes from aqueous solutions

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
06 Sep 2015
Accepted
02 Nov 2015
First published
03 Nov 2015

RSC Adv., 2015,5, 95857-95865

Author version available

Microbial preparation of magnetite/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for the removal of organic dyes from aqueous solutions

G. Liu, N. Wang, J. Zhou, A. Wang, J. Wang, R. Jin and H. Lv, RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 95857 DOI: 10.1039/C5RA18136D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements