Ceria nanoparticles deposited on graphene nanosheets for adsorption of copper(II) and lead(II) ions and of anionic species of arsenic and selenium

Abstract

A nanocomposite prepared from graphene nanosheets and cerium nanoparticles (G/CeO2) was applied to the extraction of Se(IV), As(V), As(III), Cu(II) and Pb(II). The structure of G/CeO2 was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The optimal pH values for extraction are 4.0 for As(V), 3.0 for Se(IV), and 6.0 for both Cu(II) and Pb(II). The maximum adsorption capacity of G/CeO2 (expressed as mg·g−1) were calculated by the Langmuir model and are found to be 8.4 for As(V), 14.1 for Se(IV), 50.0 for Cu(II) and 75.6 for Pb(II). The sorbent was applied to dispersive solid phase microextraction prior to direct quantitation by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry without the need for prior elution. The limits of detection (in ng·mL−1 units) are 0.10 for As(V), 0.11 for Se(IV), 0.19 for Cu(II) and 0.21 for Pb(II). The precisions (RSDs) are <4.5%. The accuracy of the method (1 - 4%) was verified by analysis of the certified reference material (CRM 1640a - natural water). The method was successfully applied in ultratrace element determination and to the speciation of selenium in environmental waters. Graphical abstractThe method gives possibility of simultaneous preconcentration and determination in environmental waters of both anionic (As(V) and Se(IV)) and cationic (Cu(II) and Pb(II)) forms of selected metals using graphene nanosheets and cerium nanoparticles. Se(IV) can be selective determined in the presence of Se(VI). Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00604-018-2806-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Preconcentration and Removal of Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Graphene-Based Nanomaterials

“…These nanoparticles act also as a stabilizer against the aggregation of individual graphene sheets, which is caused by strong van der Waals interactions. The ceria nanoparticles were attached on the graphene by using non-ionic surfactant Triton-X100 and the obtained graphene/CeO 2 nanosheets appear as an attractive composite in sorption of Pb(II) [ 71 ]. The combination of dispersive solid phase microextraction with detection using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) allows direct analysis on the nanocomposite surface without the need for elution which decreases the whole analysis time and reduces the cost.…”

Silica Mesoporous Structures: Effective Nanocarriers in Drug Delivery and Nanocatalysts

“…Large amounts of toxic pollutants, including dyes and heavy metals, have considerable environmental consequences, so the removal of even small amounts of these hazardous compounds is crucial [93]. Many methods, such as separation [94], oxidation/reduction [95], ion exchange [96], adsorption [97], membrane [98], and biological [99] methods, have been developed by researchers over the past decade. Among these methods, the adsorption process is of great interest due to its greater efficiency and simplicity [100].…”

Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Highly Efficient Removal of Metal Ions from Water

“…In contrast to organic compounds, the adsorption of metal ions on graphene is very low. The adsorptive properties of graphene toward metal ions can be improved by the formation of nanocomposites with, for example, metal oxides. , GO, in contrast to graphene, possesses large quantities of epoxy, hydroxyl, and carboxyl groups on its basal planes and edges that can bind metal ions via the chelation mechanism and/or electrostatic interaction. − Nevertheless, using GO as a solid sorbent for metal adsorption may be difficult, hence, the small particles of GO can clog and congest the filtration system causing high back pressure. All those troubles can be eliminated by covalent binding of GO to the support , or by fabrication of GO membranes.…”