Preparation of magnetic graphene oxide/chitosan composite beads for effective removal of heavy metals and dyes from aqueous solutions

In this report, a composite adsorbent in form of spherical beads generated from graphene oxide, chitosan, and magnetite (MGOCS) was developed and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The adsorption ability of MGOCS towards reactive blue 19 (RB19) and Ni(II) ions, and the effect of various experimental factors including pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, adsorbate concentration, temperature, and ionic strength were assessed in detail. The maximum adsorption capacities of MGOCS were 102.06 mg/g for RB19 and 80.48 mg/g for Ni(II). The adsorption process was thermodynamically favorable, spontaneous, exothermic, and best described by Langmuir (for Ni(II)) and Freundlich (for RB19) isotherms. The adsorption kinetics were well fitted with pseudo-first-order model for both adsorbates. The result indicated that the beads have feasibility as highly efficient and eco-friendly adsorbent to get rid of organic dyes and heavy metals from water due to their high adsorption capacity, easy recovery, and reusability.