Effect of encapsulated graphene oxide on alginate-based bead adsorption to remove acridine orange from aqueous solutions

TL;DR

This study develops GO/alginate beads that effectively remove the dye acridine orange from water, with enhanced adsorption performance due to GO encapsulation and pore structure improvements.

Contribution

It introduces a novel GO/alginate composite with improved adsorption capacity and kinetics for dye removal, demonstrating the role of GO encapsulation in enhancing performance.

Findings

GO encapsulation promotes pore formation and enhances adsorption.

Adsorption follows Langmuir isotherm with higher capacity in presence of GO.

Optimal pH for adsorption is weakly alkaline, with GO dominating at low pH.

Abstract

Environmentally-benign high-performance graphene oxide (GO)/alginate-based absorbents were prepared to eliminate acridine orange selected as a typical dye. Characterizations demonstrated GO well encapsulated and its promotion of pore formation on structure. Kinetic studies exhibited that the addition of GO shortened the adsorption equilibrium time, raised the initial rate and the adsorption capacity. Isotherm studies indicated the adsorptive behavior followed Langmuir type, and higher maximum capacity was obtained in the presence of GO. The adsorption positively responded to pH increased from acidic to weakly alkaline. At low pH, GO would contribute dominantly to the adsorption, whereas alginate component was inhibited.