Removal of methylene blue from water by cellulose/graphene oxide fibres

Abstract

A novel and efficient cellulose/graphene oxide (CGO) fibre adsorbent was prepared by wet-spinning technique. The morphology and physicochemical properties of the CGO fibres were characterised by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and thermo-gravimetric analysis. The equilibrium adsorption data were well fitted to the Langmuir models, and the adsorption capacity calculated from the Langmuir model reached 480.77 mg/g at 318 K. The adsorption kinetic studies revealed that pseudo-second-order model best describes the adsorption kinetic data. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption was an endothermic and spontaneous process. Furthermore, the CGO fibre, which is very stable and easily separable, can be recycled with a dilute NaOH solution wash, retaining over 93% of the adsorption capacity after recycling three times.