Interaction between U(VI) with sulfhydryl groups functionalized graphene oxides investigated by batch and spectroscopic techniques

Donglin Zhao, Xuan Gao, Shaohua Chen, Fazhi Xie, Shaojie Feng, Ahmed Alsaedi, Tasawar Hayat, Changlun Chen

Index: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.04.012

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Abstract

A novel 4-aminothiophenol functionalized graphene oxide composite (GO-SH) was prepared by an easy reaction route. Chemical structure and element analysis showed that the sulfhydryl groups (-SH) were successfully decorated on GOs. The sorption capacity toward U(VI) from aqueous solution was conducted by batch experiments. The results indicated the maximum sorption capacity of GO-SH composite toward U(VI) at pH = 5.5 and T = 298 K could reach 281.69 mg.g-1 on the base of the Langmuir model. The sorption kinetic curve for U(VI) fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared analysis demonstrated that the surface-grafted sulfhydryl groups contributed to the sorption of U(VI) by forming the surface complexation. The GO-SH also showed high stability and excellent reuse capability. Therefore, GO-SH can be regarded as a potential sorbent for the efficient removal of U(VI) from aqueous solutions.