Rapid Removal and Separation of Iron(II) and Manganese(II) from Micropolluted Water Using Magnetic Graphene Oxide

A novel two-dimensional carbon-based magnetic nanomaterial, magnetic graphene oxide (MGO), was prepared and then used as an efficient adsorbent. MGO showed rapid and complete removal of iron(II) (Fe) and manganese(II) (Mn) from micropolluted water bodies over a wide pH range. After saturated adsorption, MGO could be rapidly separated from water under an external magnetic field. Results of the adsorption equilibrium study indicated that the adsorption of Fe and Mn by MGO took place via monolayer heterogeneous and spontaneous processes resulting from the heterogeneity of the MGO surface as well as from the electrostatic interactions between surface acidic groups of MGO and metal ions. In addition, both the Fe and Mn uptake of MGO was very slightly affected by NaCl, although it decreased with increased humic acid in solutions. In an Fe/Mn binary aqueous system, both metal ions can be efficiently removed at low concentrations, but MGO showed preferential adsorption of Fe in a concentrated aqueous mixture. The adsorption behavior in the binary system was due to different affinities of surface oxygen-containing functional groups on MGO to Fe and Mn. Finally, unlike traditional approaches in recycling and reusing an adsorbent, the Fe- and Mn-loaded MGO can be directly applied as a new adsorbent to achieve the efficient removal of fluoride from aqueous solutions.