Amine Functionalized Magnetite GO‐MWCNT as an Efficient 3D Hybrid Aerogel for the Remediation of Copper(II) from Wastewater: Box‐Behnken Design Optimization

A new magnetic hybrid aerogel was synthesized through a facile one-pot hydrothermal self-assembly of graphene oxide and MWCNT (multiwalled carbon nanotubes) through functionalization of TETA (triethylenetetramine) onto the hybrid support resulting in the formation of mGO-TETA-MWCNT. It shows selective adsorption for Cu(II) in the presence of other metal ions at optimized conditions and can efficiently remove Cu(II) from real water samples.

Abstract

This work focuses on the sequestration of Cu(II) from aqueous environment owing to the risks posed to human health. A magnetic hybrid aerogel (mGO-TETA-MWCNT) was synthesized by one-pot self-assembly of magnetic graphene oxide (mGO) and multiwalled carbon-nanotubes (MWCNT) post functionalization with triethylenetetramine (TETA) through hydrothermal reduction. The prepared adsorbent was characterized and employed for efficient removal of Cu(II). The aerogel, mGO-TETA-MWCNT presented maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) of 232.22 mg g⁻¹ at Box-Behnken design optimized conditions: pH 5.6, time 36.7 min, and concentration 999.7 mg L⁻¹. The Brouers-Sotolongo (BS) isotherm and Fractal-like pseudo-second-order (FLPSO) kinetic model fitted best representing heterogeneity of the hybrid adsorbent. The presence of interferent metal ions(Ni(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II)) showed negligible effect on the selective sorption of Cu(II). The prepared adsorbent could be regenerated upto five cycles (>95 % removal) when eluted using 0.5 m HCl. The aerogel was successfully utilized to remove Cu(II) from wastewater, river-water, and groundwater.

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