Synthesis, Characterization, And Application of Graphene Oxide-Based Nanocomposite for Furfural Adsorption

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to synthesize, characterize, and apply a novel graphene oxide-based adsorbent for the organic contaminant furfural, aiming to develop a new material with the capacity for removal of this heterocyclic aldehyde via the adsorptive method. Theoretical Framework: This empirical study utilized a bibliographic procedure to synthesize the adsorbents, investigate their efficacy in adsorbing furfural, and observe the kinetic characteristics of adsorption. The synthesized material was characterized to classify it based on its physical aspects. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes the synthesis of the adsorbents, the evaluation of their adsorptive capacity for furfural removal, conducting adsorption kinetics, and studying the equilibrium and thermodynamics of adsorption. For the characterization of the adsorbents, analyses were performed using infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that non-functionalized graphene oxide did not exhibit the capacity to adsorb furfural. The model that best fit the experimental data for the adsorption of furfural on thiol-functionalized graphene oxide was the pseudo-second-order model, indicating multilayer adsorption, applicable in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems as mentioned in the literature. The thiol-functionalized graphene oxide demonstrated a furfural removal efficiency of approximately 60% under the studied conditions. According to the model, the thiol-functionalized graphene oxide exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 722.12 mg.g-1. Research Implications: This research contributes scientifically as this application has never been performed and presents a new material as an adsorbent for furfural, expanding the collection of materials capable of partially removing this contaminant from the aqueous environment. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by verifying that the adsorbents developed in this work had not been used for the adsorption of the contaminant furfural, thus providing a contribution to scientific research in the application of graphene oxide. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the synthesis of a new adsorbent capable of partially decontaminating the organic compound from an aqueous solution.