Graphene oxide coated with porous iron oxide ribbons for 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) removal

Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared from commercially available graphite powder. Porous iron oxide ribbons were grown on the surface of GO by solvothermal process. The prepared GO-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites are characterized by FT-IR, XRD, VSM, SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, surface functionality and zero point charge studies. The morphology of the iron oxide ribbons grown on GO is demonstrated with TEM at various magnifications. The presence of magnetite nanoparticles is evident from XRD peaks and the magnetization value is found to be 37.28 emu/g. The ratio of intensity of D-peak to G-peak from Raman spectrum is 0.995. The synthesized Graphene oxide-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites (GO-Fe₃O₄) were explored for its surface adsorptive properties by using a model organic compound, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption studies were performed and the equilibrium data are modelled with Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. The maximum monolayer capacity from Langmuir isotherm is 67.26 mg/g. Kinetic studies were also carried out and the studied adsorption process followed pseudo second-order rate equation. Mechanism of the adsorption process is studied by fitting the data with intraparticle diffusion model and Boyd plot. The studied adsorption process is both by film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion.