Adsorption and removal of bisphenol A from aqueous solution by p-phenylenediamine-modified magnetic graphene oxide

p-Phenylenediamine-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposites (PPD-MGO) were prepared and utilized in the adsorption and removal of bisphenol A from aqueous solution. The novel nanomaterials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The factors affecting the adsorption of bisphenol A, including adsorption time, temperature and pH of solution, adsorption kinetics and isotherms were all investigated. The results showed that the PPD-MGO nanomaterial exhibited good adsorption ability for bisphenol A and good re-usability. The maximum adsorption capacity reached 155.0 mg g(-1) at 45 degrees C and pH 7. The removal rate was 99.2 % after three times adsorption with the new nanomaterials. After five adsorption cycles, the adsorption capacity of the PPD-MGO remained at 94.0 %. The adsorption of bisphenol A was found to fit pseudo second order kinetics equations and the Freundlich adsorption model. The experimental results showed the PPD-MGO nanomaterial had a good adsorption ability to remove organic compounds from aqueous solution.