Preparation of polydopamine-functionalized graphene–Fe3O4 magnetic composites with high adsorption capacities

In the present study, we report a simple solution mixing method to prepare polydopamine-functionalized graphene–Fe3O4 (DGF) nanocomposites with high adsorption capacities and an easy-separation ability. Water-soluble Fe3O4 particles are firmly deposited onto the surfaces of graphene oxide (GO) via electrostatic and hydrogen interactions. The interaction between the GO and Fe3O4 particles can prevent the graphene nanosheets from restacking and the Fe3O4 particles from agglomeration. The introduction of dopamine to functionalize GO not only reduces the GO but also endows abundant chemical groups. The existence of polydopamine affords more active sites for adsorption and further enhances the interaction of the GO and Fe3O4 particles to obtain adsorbent materials with stable structures. The adsorption capacity of DGF nanocomposites for methylene blue (MB) is 365.39 mg g−1, which is much higher than that of graphene–Fe3O4 (GF) nanocomposite. Simultaneously, the DGF nanocomposites can be easily removed from polluted water after adsorption for MB by using a magnetic field, which is highly important for water conservation.

[1]  Xiaoping Shen,et al.  One-pot solvothermal preparation of magnetic reduced graphene oxide-ferrite hybrids for organic dye removal , 2012 .

[2]  C. Zhang,et al.  Hybridization of graphene sheets and carbon-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a synergistic adsorbent of organic dyes , 2012 .

[3]  Yimin Sun,et al.  Mussel-inspired synthesis of polydopamine-functionalized graphene hydrogel as reusable adsorbents for water purification. , 2013, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[4]  Yongsheng Chen,et al.  Flexible, Magnetic, and Electrically Conductive Graphene/Fe3O4 Paper and Its Application for Magnetic-Controlled Switches , 2010 .

[5]  Shuang Li,et al.  General and biomimetic approach to biopolymer-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheet through adhesive dopamine. , 2012, Biomacromolecules.

[6]  Jae Hong Park,et al.  Ambient spark generation to synthesize carbon-encapsulated metal nanoparticles in continuous aerosol manner. , 2009, Nanoscale.

[7]  Changwen Hu,et al.  Fe3O4–Graphene Nanocomposites with Improved Lithium Storage and Magnetism Properties , 2011 .

[8]  Guangming Zeng,et al.  Simultaneous removal of Cd(II) and ionic dyes from aqueous solution using magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite as an adsorbent , 2013 .

[9]  S. Nguyen,et al.  Graphene oxide, highly reduced graphene oxide, and graphene: versatile building blocks for carbon-based materials. , 2010, Small.

[10]  Kan Zhang,et al.  A novel and simple approach for the synthesis of Fe3O4-graphene composite , 2012, Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering.

[11]  S. Stankovich,et al.  Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets via chemical reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide , 2007 .

[12]  Guangmin Zhou,et al.  Graphene anchored with co(3)o(4) nanoparticles as anode of lithium ion batteries with enhanced reversible capacity and cyclic performance. , 2010, ACS nano.

[13]  Changyuan Hu,et al.  TiO2-graphene composites with exposed {001} facets produced by a one-pot solvothermal approach for high performance photocatalyst. , 2013, Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP.

[14]  Tom Regier,et al.  Co₃O₄ nanocrystals on graphene as a synergistic catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. , 2011, Nature materials.

[15]  Chao Gao,et al.  Supraparamagnetic, conductive, and processable multifunctional graphene nanosheets coated with high-density Fe3O4 nanoparticles. , 2010, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[16]  Wen Jing Yang,et al.  Dopamine-Induced Reduction and Functionalization of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets , 2010 .

[17]  M. Dresselhaus,et al.  Raman spectroscopy in graphene , 2009 .

[18]  Jiaxing Li,et al.  Correction: Graphene oxide-iron oxide and reduced graphene oxide-iron oxide hybrid materials for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants , 2012, RSC advances.

[19]  Jun Wang,et al.  A facile chemical method to produce superparamagnetic graphene oxide–Fe3O4 hybrid composite and its application in the removal of dyes from aqueous solution , 2012 .

[20]  Haeshin Lee,et al.  Mussel-Inspired Surface Chemistry for Multifunctional Coatings , 2007, Science.

[21]  Qiyuan He,et al.  Graphene-based materials: synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications. , 2011, Small.

[22]  S. Bose,et al.  Recent advances in graphene based polymer composites , 2010 .

[23]  L. Dai,et al.  Oxidizing metal ions with graphene oxide: the in situ formation of magnetic nanoparticles on self-reduced graphene sheets for multifunctional applications. , 2011, Chemical communications.

[24]  Junhua Kong,et al.  Highly conductive graphene by low-temperature thermal reduction and in situ preparation of conductive polymer nanocomposites. , 2012, Nanoscale.

[25]  Sabine Szunerits,et al.  Reduction and functionalization of graphene oxide sheets using biomimetic dopamine derivatives in one step. , 2012, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[26]  Sook Hee Ku,et al.  Bone-like peptide/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites assembled with multi-level hierarchical structures , 2011 .

[27]  Jun Hu,et al.  Synthesis of Magnetite/Graphene Oxide Composite and Application for Cobalt(II) Removal , 2011 .