REMOVAL EFFICIENCY OF FE3O4/RGO NANOCOMPOSITE TOWARDS RHODAMINE-B DYE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract

Graphite oxide (GO) was synthesized by modified Hummers method and Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite were synthesized by solvothermal method. Samples were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), UV–visible spectrophotometer and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. The XRD pattern analysis of rGO confirmed that successful reduction of interlayer distance (0.43 nm) from GO. The existence of composite of Fe3O4/rGO was confirmed by UV – visible absorption spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra and Field emission scanning electron microscopic image. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to quantify the adsorption kinetics and capacity of Fe3O4/rGO composite. The adsorption data fit the Langmuir isotherms for Fe3O4/rGO composite. The composite showed adsorption capacity of 185.18 mg g−1. The adsorption kinetics of Rhodamine-B on absorbent well fitted to the pseudo-second order model. The Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite could be utilized as an efficient, less toxic and magnetically separable adsorbent for environmental applications.