Synthesis of magnetic graphene oxide nanoribbons composite for the removal of Th(IV) from aqueous solutions

Functionalized magnetic graphene oxide nanoribbons (MGONRs) composite material was synthesized by hydrothermal treatment method using graphene oxide nanoribbons as raw material, which was formed by longitudinal unzipping of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in oxidizing environment. The morphology and structural properties of MGONRs were characterized by SEM, FT-IR, XRD and VSM and thorium adsorption behavior on MGONRs was investigated. The results showed that thorium adsorption on MGONRs was pH-dependent, endothermic and spontaneous. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second order and Freundlich isotherm model with rapid solid–liquid separation. MGONRs could have practical application in separation and recovery of thorium from aqueous solutions.