Rational synthesis and characterization of highly water stable MOF@GO composite for efficient removal of mercury (Hg2+) from water
Ahmed M. Fallatah, Habib Ur Rehman Shah, Khalil Ahmad, Muhammad Ashfaq, Abdul Rauf, Muhammad Atif Muneer, Mohamed M. Ibrahim, Zeinhom M. El‐Bahy, Amir Shahzad, Afshain Babras
Abstract
The present study is aimed at adsorptive removal of Mercury (Hg2+) using highly functionalized nanomaterials based on Graphene Oxide Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework composite ([email protected]). Solvothermal methodology was used to synthesize [email protected] composite. Synthesized compounds were confirmed by FTIR, SEM, PXRD and EDX analysis. The as-prepared [email protected] was tested as efficient adsorbent for effective removal of Mercury (Hg2+) from aquatic environment. The atomic adsorption spectrophotometer was used to monitor the process of adsorption of Hg+2 on [email protected] From the adsorption data, the maximum removal efficiency achieved was 91.1% using 10 mg amount of composite for 50 mL using 20 ppm Mercury (Hg2+) solution. Different parameters like pH, contact time, concentration, adsorption kinetics and isotherm were also examined to explore adsorption process. Adsorption data fitted well for Freundlich Model having R2 value of 0.9925 than Langmuir Isotherm with R2 value of 0.9238. Kinetics were rapid and excellently described via 2nd order model with R2 = 0.99946 than 1st order model with R2 value of 0.8836. Freundlich and pseudo 2nd order models validated that multilayer chemisorption occurs during adsorption process due to the presence of highly functionalized sites on [email protected] composite. The synthesized composite material has shown excellent reusability. Thus, water stable [email protected] composites can efficiently be used for Mercury (Hg2+) confiscation from water.