“Comparative study of Graphene Oxide sand Composite (GOSC) and Graphene Coated iron Oxide (GCIO), for Pb2+ ion removal”

Lead is a heavy metal that affects all systems of the human body. An adsorption method was used for removal of lead from wastewater. For this purpose, two adsorbents, graphene oxide coated sand particles (GOSC) and graphene coated iron oxide (GCIO) were prepared by coating of graphene sheets on the surfaces of sand particles and iron oxide using sucrose solution under controlled heating program. Both adsorbents offered very fast removal of Pb+2 ions with small amount of GOSC and GCIO, respectively. Characterization of GOSC was done using several advanced techniques like FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and TEM before and after adsorption of lead ions (Pb2+). Various parameters such as the effect of time, pH, adsorbent, dose effect, concentration and temperature were studied for both adsorbents. Various adsorption and kinetic models were also examined using adsorption data for both the adsorbents and results showed that removal of lead (Pb2+) ions through GOSC follow Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 99%), second order kinetics (R2 = 98%) and higher intraparticle diffusion (R2 = 98%), respectively while in case of GCIO adsorbent, the removal of lead (Pb2+) ions follows Freundlich model (R2 = 99%), second order kinetics (R2 = 98%) and higher intraparticle diffusion (R2 = 98%).