Protein is present in large quantities in most wastewaters, and is a major contributor to filter fouling. It therefore plays an essential role in lowering effluent water quality when remediated by conventional filtration materials. Carbon based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and graphene oxide, have great potential for absorption of various pollutants, including proteins, due to their large surface areas. This property, combined with other desirable qualities, makes them strong candidates for next-generation water treatment processes. In this study, the adsorption properties of protein to these three nanomaterials were examined under different environmental conditions (protein concentration, ionic strength, pH) and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis. The results of these experiments indicate that GO, under most conditions, has the highest protein adsorption capacity among the three nanomaterials studied.

Adsorption of protein to carbon nanomaterials: Possibilities for environmental fate and application of graphene, graphene oxide, and single-walled carbon nanotubes

246th National Meeting (2013)

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