Adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics of Cr(III) on graphene oxide

•The adsorption capacity of GO for Cr(III) is high.•The adsorption of Cr(III) on GO is spontaneous and endothermic.•Cr(III) is adsorbed on the O-containing functional groups of GO.

The adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics of Cr(III) on graphene oxide (GO) were studied. The adsorption kinetic data were well described with pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium data were well fitted by Langmuir model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption of Cr(III) on GO was spontaneous and endothermic. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(III) on GO at pH 5.0 and T = 296 K was about 92.65 mg g−1, which was higher than other reported adsorbents. It was found that the adsorption of Cr(III) on GO was strongly dependent on solution pH, but weakly dependent on ionic strength. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra suggested that Cr(III) was adsorbed on GO mainly through the formation of inner-sphere complexes with the O-containing functional groups on GO surface. Results in this study suggested that GO was a suitable material for the preconcentration and removal of Cr(III) from water.

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