A Cu-m-phenylenediamine complex induced route to fabricate poly(m-phenylenediamine)/reduced graphene oxide hydrogel and its adsorption application

Cu-m-phenylenediamine (Cu-mPD) complex was firstly exploited to efficiently synthesize poly(m-phenylenediamine)/reduced graphene oxide (PmPD/rGO) hydrogel. Cu-mPD complex shows high gelation and redox reaction activity with GO, which is ascribed to the joint and mediation effect of Cu2+. The green and efficient route realized high monomer polymerization (>99%) and decreased hydrothermal reaction time (1 h) without additional polymerization process. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were conducted to characterize the morphology and structure of PmPD/rGO hydrogel. The macroscopic hydrogels exhibit high porosity, good mechanical strength, superior adsorption performance (with methylene blue adsorbance of 615 mg g−1), and readily recycle properties.