High-Performance Three-Dimensional Aerogel Based on Hydrothermal Pomelo Peel and Reduced Graphene Oxide as an Efficient Adsorbent for Water/Oil Separation

Dandan Li; Jiwei Huang; Langhuan Huang; Shaozao Tan; Ting Liu

doi:10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03062

High-Performance Three-Dimensional Aerogel Based on Hydrothermal Pomelo Peel and Reduced Graphene Oxide as an Efficient Adsorbent for Water/Oil Separation

Langmuir. 2021 Feb 2;37(4):1521-1530. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03062. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Authors

Dandan Li¹, Jiwei Huang¹, Langhuan Huang¹, Shaozao Tan¹, Ting Liu¹

Affiliation

¹ Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre of Graphene-Like Functional and High-Performance Products and Materials, Institute of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.

PMID: 33476519
DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03062

Abstract

In this study, HPP-RGO aerogels, which were based on a hydrothermal pomelo peel (HPP) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO), were fabricated by using a green and eco-friendly two-step hydrothermal method. The characterization results showed that the HPP-RGO aerogel was endowed with extremely low density, high specific area, robust thermal stability, good mechanical property, stable acid-alkali resistance, superior recyclability, and excellent hydrophobicity and lipophilicity. Remarkably, the typical 40%-HPP-RGO aerogel presented a preferable adsorption capacity (45-80 g·g^-1). Moreover, continuous water/oil separation was achieved via the water ring vacuum pump. The successful preparation of the HPP-RGO aerogel endows the pomelo peel with high value-added properties and improves the comprehensive utilization of agricultural wastes. Furthermore, it would open up bright prospects for the field of oil adsorption and water/oil separation.