Magnetic graphene oxide as adsorbent for the removal of lead(II) from water samples

Abstract

Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared on graphene oxide (Fe3O4/GO) in situ in a one step process. The obtained Fe3O4/GO was used as an adsorbent for the removal for Pb(II) from environmental water samples prior to flame atomic absorption spectroscopy measurement. The adsorption procedure was optimized as follows: 60 min adsorption time, 50 mL sample volume, solution pH 4.5, and 25 mg adsorbent dosage. Under the optimum conditions, the adsorption efficiency obtained was greater than 75% (C = 50 mg L-1). The adsorption isotherm of Fe3O4@GO magnetic adsorbent was studied for Pb(II) adsorption using two isotherm adsorption models namely Langmuir and Freundlich. The adsorption isotherm data fits well with Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9988) rather than with Freundlich isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity (qm) obtained was 86.2 mg g-1. The results signified that the prepared Fe3O4/GO nanocomposite has a great adsorptive ability towards the Pb(II) from environmental water samples.