Graphene oxide (GO) has high dispersibility and may interact with fine mineral particles upon contact. We observed that GO significantly enhanced the dispersion of positively charged goethite via heteroaggregation, but no interaction between GO and negatively changed montmorillonite or kaolinite. Electrostatic attraction was a dominant force in the GO-goethite heteroaggregation, and Fe ions released from goethite were unable to destabilize GO suspension. Adsorption of GO on goethite followed a linear model. Desorption hysteresis was observed, showing possible irreversible interaction between GO and goethite. GO sheets covered goethite particles, and a sandwich-like structure was formed as revealed from scanning and transmission electron microscopy. This work will provide new insight into the controlling mechanisms of GO-mineral heteroaggregation in water and soil, and the environmental fate, exposure and risk of GO.

Interaction between graphene oxide and minerals in aqueous phase

249th National Meeting (2015)

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