Removal of metals from aqueous solution and sea water by functionalized graphite nanoplatelets based electrodes

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2011-01, Vol.185 (1), p.322-328
• Main Authors: Mishra, Ashish Kumar, Ramaprabhu, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acid treatment; Adsorption; Algorithms; Applied sciences; aqueous solutions; arsenates; Arsenic; Arsenic - chemistry; Arsenic - isolation & purification; Arsenic removal; calcium; Chemical engineering; desalination; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Exact sciences and technology; Functionalized graphite nanoplatelets; graphene; Graphite; Graphite - chemistry; Magnesium; Metals - isolation & purification; Microelectrodes; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanostructure; Natural water pollution; Pollution; potassium; reaction kinetics; Sea water; seawater; Seawater - analysis; Seawaters, estuaries; Sodium; Sodium - chemistry; Sodium - isolation & purification; sodium arsenite; Sodium removal; Solutions; sorption isotherms; spectroscopy; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Supercapacitor; Thermodynamics; Water - analysis; water filters; Water purification; Water Purification - methods; water treatment; Water treatment and pollution; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.09.037

In the present wok, we have demonstrated the simultaneous removal of sodium and arsenic (pentavalent and trivalent) from aqueous solution using functionalized graphite nanoplatelets ( f-GNP) based electrodes. In addition, these electrodes based water filter was used for multiple metals removal from sea water. Graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) were prepared by acid intercalation and thermal exfoliation. Functionalization of GNP was done by further acid treatment. Material was characterized by different characterization techniques. Performance of supercapacitor based water filter was analyzed for the removal of high concentration of arsenic (trivalent and pentavalent) and sodium as well as for desalination of sea water, using cyclic voltametry (CV) and inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) techniques. Adsorption isotherms and kinetic characteristics were studied for the simultaneous removal of sodium and arsenic (both trivalent and pentavalent). Maximum adsorption capacities of 27, 29 and 32 mg/g for arsenate, arsenite and sodium were achieved in addition to good removal efficiency for sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium from sea water.