Evaluation of the removal of phenol from contaminated water by graphene oxide functionalized with polydiallydimethylammonium chloride (GPDADMAC)

In this study, the removal of phenol from aqueous solution using synthesized graphene oxide functionalized with polydiallydimethylammonium chloride (GPDADMAC) adsorbent was investigated. Prior to adsorption experiments, the structural and chemical characteristics of the adsorbent were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. About 80% removal of phenol was achieved within 10 min under the optimum conditions of 4 g L^-1 adsorbent dosage, 10 mg L^-1 initial phenol concentration, 298 K temperature, pH of 5.6 and agitation speed of 150 rpm. Results of the study also revealed that removal of phenol by GPDADMAC was almost independent of pH within the range of 4-9. The experimental data were best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model which implied that the rate-limiting step was the chemisorption. Based on isotherm modeling, both Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models produced the best fit for the experimental data. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption process was exothermic.