Spectroscopic and statistical physics elucidation for Cu(II) remediation using magnetic bio adsorbent based on Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene 3 O 4-chitosan-graphene oxide

Efficient harnessing of heavy metal pollution is an urgent environmental task. Herein, magnetic bio adsorbent (MB) based on Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene 3 O 4-chitosan-graphene oxide composite was fabricated via one step co-precipitation for adsorptive remediation of Cu(II). Remediation efficiency was evaluated by batch adsorption, meanwhile adsorption mechanism was elucidated by spectroscopic tests (XPS, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescent emission spectra), statistical physics formalism, isotherm and kinetic fittings. Results show, MB reaches adsorption percent and quantity of 87.61 % and 350.43 mg center dot g-1-1 for Cu(II) in 30 min. By virtue of paramagnetism, MB can be readily recovered with a permanent magnet for easy regeneration and cyclic use, thereby retaining adsorption quantity 279.99 mg center dot g-1-1 at the fifth cycle. The Freundlich and pseudo second order model satisfactorily describes the adsorption, designating chemical interaction as the rate limiting step. Statistical physics calculation suggests two points. (1) Multi-ionic adsorption mechanism with exothermic, spontaneous and energy lowering feature. (2) Density of adsorption sites increases with temperature, resulting in improved adsorption capacity. Spectroscopic analysis confirms the involvement of C--O, - - O, C-O, - O,-NH2 2 in Cu(II) uptake via electron donation. These explorations contribute with novel theoretical illumination for understanding both the thermodynamic feature and atomic scale mechanism of common pollutants adsorption by bio adsorbent like Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene 3 O 4-chitosan-graphene oxide.