Three-dimensional graphene aerogels–mesoporous silica frameworks for superior adsorption capability of phenols

• A 3D graphene aerogels–mesoporous silica materials were successfully fabricated.
• The novel materials exhibited superior absorption capacity for four phenols even though at low or trace concentrations.
• The low-cost and environmental friendly adsorbent with highly removal efficiency could be applied to the real wastewater.

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene aerogels–mesoporous silica (GAs–MS) frameworks were successfully fabricated. The interconnected macropores were obtained from hydrothermally assembled 3D GAs, while the mesopores were generated by the silica uniformly grown on the surface of graphene. The resulting GAs–MS exhibited narrow mesopore size distribution (1.87 nm), high surface area (1000.80 m2 g−1), and hierarchical macro- and mesoporous structures. These wonderful features made GAs–MS as a promising adsorbent for the removal of hazardous phenols from wastewater. The adsorption study implied that the novel materials exhibited superior adsorption capacity of phenols to such as phenol, catechol, resorcinol and hydroquinone, with removal efficiencies of 68.6%, 86.6%, 91.1% and 94.7%, respectively.

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