Effect of Particle Size of Natural Graphite on Methyl Blue Sorption Behavior of Expanded Graphite

Abstract

Using three natural graphites with different particle sizes, 80, 50 and 35 mesh, as raw material, expanded graphite was prepared by rapidly heating expandable graphite in a muffle and by irradiating it in a microwave oven, respectively. The resulting expanded graphites were used for adsorbing methyl blue in water. The results show that the removal rate of methyl blue is influenced by the treatment method of solution, the particle size of natural graphite and expansion method of expandable graphite. After selection of desired operation parameters, a higher removal rate is achieved.