title: Single-step One-pot Synthesis of Graphene Foam/TiO2Nanosheet Hybrids for Effective Water Treatment.
abstract: Millions of tons of wastewater containing both inorganic and organic pollutants are generated every day, leading to significant social, environmental, and economic issues. Herein, we designed a graphene foam/TiO2nanosheet hybrid, which is able to effectively remove both chromium (VI) cations and organic pollutants simultaneously. This graphene foam/TiO2nanosheet hybrid was synthesized via a facile single-step one-pot hydrothermal method. The structure of the hybrid was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hybrid was evaluated for both chromium (VI) and organic pollutants (using methyl blue (MB) as an example) removal, and the removal mechanism was also investigated. During water treatment, graphene and TiO2nanosheets function complimentarily, leading to a significant synergy. The hybrid exhibited outstanding chromium (VI) and MB removal capacity, much superior to the performance of the individual pure TiO2sheets or pure graphene foam. The hybrid could also be easily separated after water treatment, and exhibited excellent recycle stability. Considering the very facile synthesis of this graphene foam/TiO2nanosheet hybrid, and its excellent water treatment performance and recycle stability, such a hybrid is promising for large scale production for practical applications where both chromium (VI) cations and organic dyes are the main pollutants.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer &Energy Conservation, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510640, China.|Department of Chemical &Biomolecular Engineering and Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States.
authors.forename: Weilin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical &Biomolecular Engineering and Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States.
authors.forename: Zhaofeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical &Biomolecular Engineering and Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States.
authors.forename: Jingjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer &Energy Conservation, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510640, China.
authors.forename: Zhengguo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical &Biomolecular Engineering and Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States.
authors.forename: Luyi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun