Graphene materials for lead (II) extraction: an equilibrium study

Abstract

The present paper describes a study on the adsorption of lead (II) ions on graphene materials obtained via exfoliation of a hydrolyzed expanded graphite intercalation compound. An equilibrium studies were performed implementing the empirical Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. It was found that all the isotherms are fitted well by those models, indicating the efficiency of the graphene materials as an adsorbent of heavy metals. The applicability of the two isotherms for sorption processes shows that both monolayer adsorption and heterogeneous energetic distribution of active sites on the adsorbent surface may take place. The maximum experimental lead (II) adsorption capacities of the materials under study – few-layered oxidized graphene suspension, multi-layered graphene paste, and few-layered graphene paste – were found to be 850, 230 and 170 mg/g, respectively. Due to the high sorption characteristics and unique physical and chemical properties of these materials, the adsorption technologies developed herein can act as good sustainable options for the future in heavy metal removal from industrial effluents.