Recoverable cellulose composite adsorbents for anionic/cationic dyes removal

GO/HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 materials were successfully fabricated using environmentally-friendly hydroxyethyl cel-lulose (HEC), poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PGDE), graphene oxide (GO) and magnetic Fe3O4. Sys-tematic investigations were completed to explore the influences of GO content in GO/HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 and adsorption conditions on the adsorptions of cationic dyes (methylene blue (MB), crystal violet (CV)) and anionic dye acid blue 25 (AB-25). The increase of GO content can remarkably improve the adsorption capacity of GO/ HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 for the dyes. The three kinetic, four isothermic and three thermodynamic models were investigated to reveal the adsorption behaviors of the dyes. The formation of HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 and adsorption mechanisms of the dyes by GO/HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 were suggested. The GO/HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 endowed with easy-fabrication, eco-friendly feature, efficient adsorption capacity of anionic/cationic dyes, convenient sepa-ration and reusability has potential applications in wastewater purification industry.

Automated summary

GO/HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 materials were successfully synthesized using environmentally-friendly components. The influence of GO content and adsorption conditions on the adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes was investigated. The increase in GO content significantly improved the adsorption capacity of GO/HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4. The formation of GO/HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 and the adsorption mechanisms of the dyes were proposed. GO/HEC/PGDE/Fe3O4 showed great potential in wastewater purification industry due to its easy fabrication, eco-friendly nature, efficient adsorption capacity, and reusability.