Spectroscopic and statistical physics elucidation for Cu(II) remediation using magnetic bio adsorbent based on Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene oxide

Abstract

Efficient harnessing of heavy metal pollution is an urgent environmental task. Herein, magnetic bio adsorbent (MB) based on Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene oxide composite was fabricated via one step co-precipitation for adsorptive remediation of Cu(II). Remediation efficiency was evaluated by batch adsorption, meanwhile adsorption mechanism was elucidated by spectroscopic tests (XPS, UV–Vis absorption and fluorescent emission spectra), statistical physics formalism, isotherm and kinetic fittings. Results show, MB reaches adsorption percent and quantity of 87.61 % and 350.43 mg·g−1 for Cu(II) in 30 min. By virtue of paramagnetism, MB can be readily recovered with a permanent magnet for easy regeneration and cyclic use, thereby retaining adsorption quantity 279.99 mg·g−1 at the fifth cycle. The Freundlich and pseudo second order model satisfactorily describes the adsorption, designating chemical interaction as the rate limiting step. Statistical physics calculation suggests two points. (1) Multi-ionic adsorption mechanism with exothermic, spontaneous and energy lowering feature. (2) Density of adsorption sites increases with temperature, resulting in improved adsorption capacity. Spectroscopic analysis confirms the involvement of CO, CO, -NH2 in Cu(II) uptake via electron donation. These explorations contribute with novel theoretical illumination for understanding both the thermodynamic feature and atomic scale mechanism of common pollutants adsorption by bio adsorbent like Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene oxide.