Pb2+ ion removal from contaminated aqueous solution by adsorption onto Graphene Oxide Sand Composite (GOSC) for efficient water purification

Abstract

Lead is a heavy metal which affects all the systems of human body. An easy method for removal of lead contamination was developed by using graphene oxide coated sand particle (GOSC). In this study, GOSC was prepared using sand particle and sucrose solution under controlled heating program which shows efficient adsorption behavior compared to other adsorbents. GOSC offered very fast removal of Pb+2 with small amount of GOSC (0.09g) in 100 ppm adsorbate solution. Characterization of GOSC was done by using several advanced techniques like FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM, DSC, and Zeta Potential measurements before and after adsorption of lead ion (Pb2+). Adsorption shows superiority over other methods because it involves effective and high removal efficiency adsorption (above 90%). Various parameters like the effect of time, pH, adsorbent, dose effect, concentration and temperature were studied. Various adsorption and kinetic models were also investigated using adsorption data and results showed that removal of lead (Pb2+) ion follows Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 99%), second order kinetics (R2 = 98%) and higher intraparticle diffusion (R2= 98%). The high percentage removal of metal ions with little quantity of GOSC confirmed that GOSC is an excellent, effective and economic adsorbent.