Adsorption of VOCs on reduced graphene oxide

Lian Yu; Long Wang; Weicheng Xu; Limin Chen; Mingli Fu; Junliang Wu; Daiqi Ye

doi:10.1016/j.jes.2017.08.022

Adsorption of VOCs on reduced graphene oxide

J Environ Sci (China). 2018 May:67:171-178. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2017.08.022. Epub 2017 Sep 8.

Authors

Lian Yu¹, Long Wang², Weicheng Xu², Limin Chen³, Mingli Fu³, Junliang Wu³, Daiqi Ye⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China. Electronic address: esyulian@scut.edu.cn.
² College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
³ College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, Guangzhou 510006, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Technology and Equipment, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
⁴ College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, Guangzhou 510006, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Technology and Equipment, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China. Electronic address: cedqye@scut.edu.cn.

PMID: 29778150
DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2017.08.022

Abstract

A modified Hummer's method was adopted for the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). It was revealed that the modified method is effective for the production of GO and rGO from graphite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of GO and rGO showed a sheet-like morphology. Because of the presence of oxygenated functional groups on the carbon surface, the interlayer spacing of the prepared GO was higher than that of rGO. The presence of OH and CO groups in the Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) spectrum and G-mode and 2D-mode in Raman spectra confirmed the synthesis of GO and rGO. rGO (292.6m²/g) showed higher surface area than that of GO (236.4m²/g). The prepared rGO was used as an adsorbent for benzene and toluene (model pollutants of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) under dynamic adsorption/desorption conditions. rGO showed higher adsorption capacity and breakthrough times than GO. The adsorption capacity of rGO for benzene and toluene was 276.4 and 304.4mg/g, respectively. Desorption experiments showed that the spent rGO can be successfully regenerated by heating at 150.0°C. Its excellent adsorption/desorption performance for benzene and toluene makes rGO a potential adsorbent for VOC adsorption.

Keywords: Adsorption; Graphene oxide; Reduced graphene oxide; Volatile organic compounds.

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Graphite / analysis
Graphite / chemistry*
Models, Chemical*
Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis
Volatile Organic Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

Volatile Organic Compounds
Graphite