Magnetic graphene oxide was impregnated with polymers for the preparation of nanocomposite adsorbents to be examined for the adsorptive removal of a typical endocrine disruptor, bisphenol-A (BPA) from aqueous solutions. The polymers used were polystyrene, chitosan and polyaniline. The nanocomposites prepared were characterized for their structure, morphology and surface chemistry. The nanocomposites presented an increase adsorptive activity for BPA at ambient conditions, compared to pure magnetic oxide, attributed to the synergistic effect of the polymers and the magnetic graphene oxide. The increased adsorption of BPA exhibited by the nanocomposites with chitosan and polyaniline could be attributed to the contribution of amine groups.
Keywords: adsorption; bisphenol–A; magnetic graphene oxide; polymers.