In-Situ Synthesis of Graphene Oxide/Zinc Ferrite Nanocomposites for As(III) Removal from Aqueous Solution

Arsenic, cadmium, chromium and nickel are categorized as carcinogen 1. Among these, arsenic is most toxic, which accumulates in the body cells and cause serious diseases like cancer, kidney failure, lungs and chest problems. In this project, In-Situ Graphene oxide/Zinc Ferrite (GO/ZnFe₂O₄) nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized using modified Hummer’s assisted with precipitation method. The NCs were characterized by UV/Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. XRD confirms the formation of NCs with average crystallite size 47 nm, 34 nm and 28 nm for GO/ZnFO_(10:5), GO/ZnFO_(5:2.5) and GO/ZnFO_(1:0.5) respectively. The GO/ZnFe₂O₄ NCs were used for adsorption of As(III) from aqueous solution under the influence of time, concentration and temperature. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the adsorption capacity which was found in the range 80 to 98% at lower concentrations. The kinetic data followed pseudo second order. The As(III) removal data was tested for Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. However, Langmuir model was found better fitted. The results obtained show that GO/ZnFe₂O₄ NCs are effective and economically valuable adsorbents for removing As(III) ions.