Graphene-carbon nanotube hybrids as robust, rapid, reversible adsorbents for organics

We reported the absorption and desorption performance of xylene with graphene-carbon nanotube hybrids (GNHs). Mesoporous GNHs with a surface area of 1600 m2/g exhibited a far higher organic intake and a much more rapid desorption ability, compared to microporous activated carbon with a surface area of 2000 m2/g. GNH pores were classified into regions of 3-5 nm, 5-15 nm, and 15-28 nm, respectively, to study the variation of surface area and pore volume in each pore region in 30 repeated adsorption-desorption cycles. It was shown that the adsorption-desorption ability of the GNHs decreased only slightly after the reversible operation of 30 cycles. Vacuum filtration is proposed as suitable for the desorption of xylene from sticky matter (the combination of GNH powders and xylene).

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