Nano graphene platelets (NGPs) are a new member of carbon nano-materials which can be seen as a flattened version of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with few-layer thickness and two nano- or micro-dimensional sides. Basic manufacturing methods can use a graphite substrate to synthesize NGPs, with some exfoliating process to reduce the number of layers, and acid/purification process to add oxygen groups. The outstanding mechanical and chemical properties of the NGPs offer a potential of different applications in several technological fields, such as electronic industry, sensor, composites and in water treatment, with some advantages over CNTs.  NGPs were characterized by TEM, SEM, XPS, FTIR, Zeta potential analyzer and BET surface area analysis. Adsorption capacity of copper on NGPs was studied by performing kinetics and isotherm experiments. However, the objective of this study is to compare the adsorption process variables, under the effect of the perimeter and the functionalized sites. Oxygen groups such as OH and COOH, tend to bond to the open ends of CNTs, and by similar mechanisms, bond mostly to the NGPs edges. The study involved estimation of the coefficients in a mathematical model, predicting the response and checking the adequacy of the model.

Comparative study for the adsorption of Cu(II) on functionalized nano graphene platelets and multiwall carbon nanotubes: Effect of size and morphology

244th National Meeting (2012)

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