Magnetic graphene oxide-biomass activated carbon composite for dye removal

• Main Authors: Tan, Yan Ying, Abdul Raman, Abdul Aziz, Bello, Mustapha Mohammed, Buthiyappan, Archina
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer Verlag 2020
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/25751/; https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-020-0628-9
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

A magnetic composite was synthesized using palm kernel shell-based activated carbon, graphene oxide (GO) and iron oxide. The morphology, textural properties, magnetic properties, crystal structure and functional groups of the composite were studied. The characterization shows the successful formation of the ternary composite with a high specific surface area (280.39 m2/g) and abundant surface functional groups. The magnetic properties of the composite indicate a saturation magnetization of 33.72 emu/g, signifying that the composite can be easily separated with an external magnetic field. The performance of the composite was then investigated through the removal of an anionic azo dye, Acid Blue 113, from aqueous solution. The effect of initial pH of the solution, adsorbent dosage and adsorption contact time was studied. The composite achieved an adsorption capacity of 32.2 mg/g and 96.3% dye removal. Effective dye removal was still achieved after five cycles of adsorption-regeneration, with the dye removal of 74% after the fifth cycle. The analyses of adsorption isotherm and kinetics show that the adsorption process fits pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models, indicating a monolayer chemisorption process. The excellent adsorption performance and reusability of the composite and its magnetic separability signify its potential as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment. © 2020, The Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers.