Kinetic and thermodynamic study of 1-naphthol adsorption from aqueous solution to sulfonated graphene nanosheets

The sulfonated graphene nanosheets were prepared from graphene oxides. The kinetic and thermodynamic adsorption of 1-naphthol from aqueous solution on the sulfonated graphene nanosheets were investigated under ambient conditions. The results of 1-naphthol kinetic adsorption on sulfonated graphene indicated that the adsorption was inclined to stack on the surface of graphene nanosheets with low activation energy. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from the temperature dependent adsorption isotherms indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process, and the adsorption was in good agreement with the theory of non-bonding interaction intensity. The adsorption capacities of 1-naphthol on sulfonated graphene nanosheets are ∼2.3 mmol/g at 293.15 K, and ∼6.4 mmol/g at 313.15 and 333.15 K, which are the highest adsorption capacity of todays’ nanomaterials. The results suggest that the sulfonated graphene nanosheets may be a promising suitable candidate for the preconcentration of 1-naphthol from large volume of aqueous solutions in real work in near future.

► The sulfonated graphene nanosheets were prepared and had high dispersion property in aqueous solution.
► The kinetic and thermodynamic adsorption of 1-naphthol on the sulfonated graphene nanosheets was studied.
► The sulfonated graphene nanosheets have the highest adsorption capacity of todays’ nanomaterials.