Cyanobacterial toxins such as microcystin-LR (MC-LR) represent a global environmental threat to ecosystems and drinking water supplies. Here we show the direct use of graphene as an adsorptive nanomateiral for the enhanced removal of MC-LR via interactions with the aromatic ring of the ADDA chain of the MC-LR toxin and the sp-2 carbon network of graphene. The overall pore characterstics (pore size and shape) of graphene helped provide enhancements for adsorption kinetics and capacities when compared against the commercially available and standard adsorptive material, granular activated carbon (GAC). Our results here proved that the overall mesopore structure and surface interactions of graphene played a major role in increasing the rate of adsorption of MC-LR along with drastically increased the adsorption capacity to over 100X greater than GAC's capacity. In this study, we also displayed a novel characterization technique for determining the presence of pi-pi electrostatic interactions through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the aromatic peaks during titrations of the adsorbate and adsorptive material. To our knowledge, we present here the first evidence of graphene adsorption to this rate and magnitude, along with providing a new analytical technique for probing the mechanism that drives the enhanced adsorption.

Graphene as a rational interface for enhanced adsorption of emerging contaminants from water: A novel approach for determining the role of Pi-Pi interactions

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.