Polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide/Fe₃O₄ nano-composite for aqueous Hg(II) removal

To ease the adsorbent recovery and to increase the adsorption capacity of polyaniline (PANI), aniline was polymerized in the presence of a solvothermally prepared nano-composite of reduced graphene oxide and Fe₃O₄ (RGO/Fe₃O₄). The polyaniline was formed along the RGO/Fe₃O₄ composite in transmission electron microscope (TEM). The thus formed PANI/RGO/Fe₃O₄ adsorbent was tested and applied in removing Hg(II) in aqueous solution. The initial adsorption rate as well as the adsorption capacity increases with the incorporation of RGO/Fe₃O₄. The magnetic separation of PANI/RGO/Fe₃O₄ was easy, and its regeneration can be carried out at the optimal pH of 2. Test results proved the competence of the prepared adsorbent in pollution remediation applications for safer water quality and environmental protection.