Ethylenediamine functionalized magnetic graphene oxide (Fe3O4@GO-EDA) as an efficient adsorbent in Arsenic(III) decontamination from aqueous solution

Magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite functionalized with ethylenediamine (Fe3O4@GO-EDA) was synthesized as a recyclable nanoadsorbent for As(III) decontamination from aquatic solution. The graphene oxide (GO) sheets could inhibit aggregation of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles and allow a fine dispersal of these oxide nanoparticles and also considerably intensify the specific surface area of the nanocomposite. The Fe3O4@GO-EDA characterization was accomplished by using several techniques. Also, the nanocomposite was assessed in terms of adsorption capacity in As(III) removal, selectivity, and reusability, as well as adsorption mechanism by different kinetics, and isotherm models (single-step and two-step). The single-step adsorption isotherm data and the kinetics of the adsorbing mechanism were matched utilizing the Langmuir equation and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a correlation coefficient 0.9995 and 0.9988, respectively. The Fe3O4@GO-EDA nanocomposite manifests adsorption capacity of 13.3 mg/g and a rapid separation from solution samples due to the composed benefits of graphene oxide and magnetic nanomaterials. The effect of co-existing ions on arsenic removal was investigated, and the results showed that the presence of cations had no effect on As(III) uptake but anions had a little negative effect by 5-10%. Recyclability studies also illustrated excellent reusability of about 70% means a reduction in the As(III) ion removal efficiency by Fe3O4@GO-EDA nanocomposite from 80 to 70% over ten sorption cycles. Consequently, the Fe3O4@GO-EDA nanocomposites may be an efficient nanomaterial for the removal and decontamination of As(III) in environmental pollution clean-up. Graphic abstract Graphical abstract of ethylenediamine-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite (Fe3O4@GO-EDA) and the possible mechanism for As(III) removal [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

A magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite functionalized with ethylenediamine (Fe3O4@GO-EDA) was synthesized and found to be an efficient nanoadsorbent for As(III) decontamination, with good adsorption capacity and recyclability. The presence of co-existing ions had some effect on arsenic removal, but the Fe3O4@GO-EDA nanocomposite still demonstrated high efficiency in removing As(III).