A magnetic graphene hybrid functionalized with beta-cyclodextrins for fast and efficient removal of organic dyes

A beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) functionalized magnetic graphene hybrid (mGO-beta-CD) has been prepared and its application as an adsorbent for the removal of organic dyes has been investigated. Magnetic graphene hybrids (mGOs) were first synthesized via a chemical precipitation method, and then beta-CDs were applied to further functionalize the resultant mGO hybrid. The results demonstrate that the as-prepared mGO-beta-CD hybrid exhibits greatly enhanced adsorption performance in water. Acid fuchsin and Rhodamine 6G, the typical dye pollutants, can be effectively removed from their solutions by the mGO-beta-CD hybrid. The maximum adsorption capability of the mGO-beta-CD hybrid is several times, even hundreds of times higher than that of the reported carbonaceous materials. Moreover, ca. 90% of the dye removal efficiency can be retained after six adsorption-desorption cycles. In addition, the mGO-beta-CD hybrid exhibits negligible toxicity toward the normal cells. Conclusively, the resultant mGO-beta-CD hybrid proves to be a magnetically separable, efficient and non-toxic adsorbent for dye removal.