Development of Highly Water Stable Graphene Oxide-Based Composites for the Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b02668
• Publication Date: 2019-01-24T09:18:15Z
• Authors: Krithika Delhiraja; Kowsalya Vellingiri; Danil W. Boukhvalov; Ligy Philip
• Keywords: Langmuir adsorption model

In the present study, sorption of pharmaceuticals ((acetaminophen (ACP), carbamazepine (CBZ)) and personal care products (bisphenol A (BPA), caffeine (CAFF), triclosan (TCS)) using a graphene oxide (GO)-based composite adsorbent was extensively studied. Structural characterization indicated incorporation activated carbon chitosan onto GO. For both classes pollutants, adsorption kinetics followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model. On other hand, Langmuir isotherm showed better fit compared to Freundlich isotherm. Maximum capacities ACP, CBZ, BPA, CAFF, TCS were found be 13.7, 11.2, 13.2, 14.8, 14.5 mg/g, respectively. Desorption CAFF significantly higher in polar solvent (70%–80%), whereas CBZ able desorb (60%) nonpolar solvent. DFT calculations that mechanism is majorly accompanied by size-related diffusion also minor contribution synergetic combination hydrophobic/hydrophilic, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, π–π interactions. Overall, prepared material enhanced structural stability along with removal characteristics toward multiple emerging contaminants water wastewater.