Synthesis and performance of graphene and activated carbon composite for absorption of three-valance arsenic from wastewater

Abstract

High levels of arsenic in the effluent are a major concern of human, and the removal of it from the wastewater is hard and costly. The most common techniques for removal of arsenic are membrane separation, ion exchange, oxidation, and coagulation. The active carbon is used as the most common arsenic adsorbent in wastewater treatment processes, this study has been considered as the main adsorbent and attempted to improve its surface properties by graphene nanosheets. Thus, by adding graphene (4.5%w) to the carbon structure, its porosity increases, and the ion exchange behavior and surface load are corrected. In this research, the effects of time process, concentration of arsenic, and adsorbent are evaluated in different pH values. It has been observed that the maximum adsorption of arsenic is 91.8%; in addition, when graphene is used, the rate of absorption of Arsenic has increased about 5.2%, and the process time is shortened.