Magnetic nano-networked graphene@metal-organic framework derived iron oxide with enhanced adsorption and photocatalytic performance for wastewater treatment

Authors: Fu, H., Qiao, Y., Gao, B., Liu, Z., Wei, G., Lan, X., Liu, Y., Wei, S., Abdelkader, A. and Kamali, A.R.

Journal: Separation and Purification Technology

Volume: 355

eISSN: 1873-3794

ISSN: 1383-5866

DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.129482

Abstract:

This study presents a simple mechanical exfoliation-thermal treatment process to produce iron oxide embedded into nano-networked graphene with abundant surface oxygen vacancies. The nano-networked graphene@iron oxide product is characterised as a high-performing adsorbent for removing organic dye malachite green from wastewater, exhibiting an adsorption capacity of 240.22 mg/g, following the pseudo-second-order kinetic adsorption model. Notably, the excellent dual adsorption - photocatalysis performance of the nano-networked graphene@iron oxide can be attributed to its large specific surface area (184 m2/g) and high porosity (2.37 cm3/g). Under LED light (385 nm) irradiation, the 0.4 g/L nano-networked graphene@iron oxide material at pH=9 exhibits photocatalytic performance with 99.4 % MG degradation after 3 h of photocatalysis. Free radical trapping experiments show that electrons and vacancies are the main reactants in photocatalysis. The moderate band gap of the material (1.41 eV) combined with the presence of conductive graphene contributes to the efficient generation of active radicals. The fabrication of this dual adsorbent - photocatalyst is simple, inexpensive and controllable, providing an economic and efficient option for degrading organic pollutants.

Source: Scopus