Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic graphene aerogel for ultrafast removal of hazardous organics from water

Abstract

A facile approach to preparing functionalized graphene aerogels (FGAs) with superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties was developed by modifying graphene aerogels with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The as-prepared FGAs displayed mesoporous structure with a high aspect surface area (157 m2/g), which afforded a high adsorption capacity toward various organic solvents with a remarkable value of 48–96 g/g. In addition, the resultant FGAs also exhibited a high separation efficiency (≥99%), ultrafast removal (a few seconds), and good recycling performance (10 cycles, 99% retention) toward multiple hazardous organics (chloroform, dichloromethane, n-hexane, toluene, petroleum ether, etc.) in water. These findings provide a promising material to improve the removal efficiency of hazardous organics for water purification. Keywords: Functionalized graphene aerogel, Superhydrophobicity, Hazardous organics removal, Recyclable adsorbent