Preparation of carbon nanotubes/graphene hybrid aerogel and its application for the adsorption of organic compounds

Graphene-based materials with aerogel structures were developed in recent years for various adsorption applications. In the present study, a hydrothermal process was developed to prepare graphene aerogel by using graphene oxide as a precursor, and the obtained aerogel was employed as a template for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Various techniques were employed to study the morphology, surface property and composition of aerogel samples. The results showed that CNTs were in-situ grown on the sheet of graphene aerogel, endowing the material a hierarchical structure with enhanced surface area and meso- and micro-scale pores. These improved properties made the hybrid aerogel a superior material for the selective adsorption of a variety of organics and oils from water.

A hybrid aerogel consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene was prepared. The growth of CNTs on the graphene sheets in the hybrid aerogel endowed the material a hierarchical structure with low density, excellent hydrophobicity and oleophilicity to the organic compounds. The aerogel can adsorb a variety of oily liquids with outstanding reusability.203