The adsorption properties of Pb(II) and Cd(II) on functionalized graphene prepared by electrolysis method

The functionalized graphene (GNSPF6) was fabricated by simple and fast method of electrolysis with potassium hexafluorophosphate solution as electrolyte under the static potential of 15 V. The characterization results of transmission electron microscopy, atom force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis indicate that graphite rod was completely exfoliated to graphene layer containing 30 wt.% PF6- with the average thickness ca. 1.0 nm. Our sample of GNSPF6 was developed for the removal of Pb(II) or Cd(II) ions from water, and the determined adsorption capacities are 406.6 mg/g (pH = 5.1) for Pb(II) and 73.42 mg/g (pH = 6.2) for Cd(II), which is much higher than that by our previous sample of GNSC8P and carbon nanotube. The adsorption processes reach equilibrium in just 40 min and the adsorption isotherms are described well by Langmuir and Freundlich classical isotherms models.