Solvent-free production of nano-FeS anchored graphene from Ulva fasciata: A scalable synthesis of super-adsorbent for lead, chromium and dyes

Abstract

Here we demonstrate, a simple and solvent-free synthetic route for the production of FeS/Fe(0) functionalized graphene nanocomposite (G-Fe) via a one-step pyrolysis of seaweed biomass (Ulva fasciata). It is proposed that the natural abundance of both inorganic and organic sulfur in the seaweed induces the reduction of exfoliated graphitic sheets at elevated temperatures. FeCl₃ was employed both as the iron precursor as well as the templating agent. Iron doping played a dual-faceted role of exfoliating as well as activating agent, producing composite with high adsorption capacity for Pb²⁺ (645 ± 10 mg/g), CR (970 mg/g), CV(909 mg/g), MO (664 mg/g), MB (402 mg/g) dyes and good recyclability (8 cycles). Pb²⁺ adsorption was irreversible even at low pH values and the spent composite (G-Fe-Pb) was utilized for efficient Cr(IV) removal (̴100 mg/g). The adsorption data followed the pseudo second order kinetics while the equilibrium data fitted perfectly into the Langmuir adsorption equation. Further, a thin layer of composite was deposited on a filter paper by vacuum filtration which was tested under continuous filtration mode for RB5 dye removal. Preliminary results highlight the potential of this composite to be used in pretreatment steps in hybrid membrane processes for filtration of complex wastewater feeds.

Keywords: Dyes; Graphene composite; Heavy metal; Seaweed biomass; Wastewater.