Application of Magnetic Graphene Oxide for Water Purification: Heavy Metals Removal and Disinfection

Water pollutant like heavy metals is one of the major hazards due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. In this study, a simple, fast and facile method was applied for the synthesis of magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) by fabricating the surface of graphene oxide (GO) with iron particles (Fe3+). Characterization of MGO was done by UV-VIS, FT-IR, SEM, XRD and VSM. Efficient removal of toxic heavy metal ions (Pb+2, Cr+3, Cu+2, Zn+2 and Ni+2) were studied using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The adsorption performance of MGO was evaluated by investigating the effect of different parameters such as pH (3-9), temperature (25-55 degrees C), contact time (10-65 mins) and adsorbent dose (0.002 - 0.016 g). The maximum adsorption capacities at pH 5.0 for Pb (II), pH 6 for Cr (III), pH 6 for Cu (II), pH 7 for Zn (II) and pH 8 for Ni (II), ions were 200, 24.330, 62.893, 63.694 and 51.020 mg/g respectively. The adsorption processes was spontaneous and endothermic, followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics model. MGO action against microbial activity of E-Coli, Yersina Ruckeri and Antobacter Agglomerans was also studied. The results exhibited that MGO is a competent adsorbent and disinfectant for safe drinking water.