Synthesis of Fe3O4 -rGO aerogels and its application to the removal of aqueous Pb (II)

The magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide aerogel (FGOA) was successfully assembled using an ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal-freeze drying method. We endowed the graphene oxide aerogel (GOA) with excellent separation and recyclability by loading magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Characterizations of the FGOA using FTIR, XRD, and FESEM confirmed the uniform dispersion of magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles within the aerogel. Adsorption experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of FGOA in capturing Pb(II) ions. After adsorbing Pb(II) ions, the FGOA can be directly separated using a magnet, without adversely affecting the aerogel’s inherent strong adsorption capacity. The experimental results showed that the functionalization of GOA with magnetic nanoparticles was a very promising strategy to improve the separation efficiency of adsorbent materials, and that FGOA has a good potential for development in the field of heavy metal wastewater treatment.