Preparation of reduced graphene oxide/montmorillonite composite hydrogel and its applications for chromium(VI) and organic compounds adsorption

A novel 3D porous reduced graphene oxide/montmorillonite composite hydrogel (rGO–MMT) was prepared by solvent method, where the MMT nanosheets were homogenously dispersed in 3D rGO hydrogel. The porous 3D structure and the high dispersion of MMT nanosheets can promote the adsorption capacity. The effects of MMT content (wt%), the initial concentration of Cr(VI) solution (C0), pH value (pH0), the adsorption dose and temperatures on the adsorption capacity of rGO–MMT for Cr(VI) ions have been investigated. The optimum pH value for Cr(VI) adsorption is 2, and the adsorption capacity increases with MMT content and adsorption temperature. The rGO–MMT composite hydrogel displays the excellent adsorption property for both the heavy metal and organic pollutants. The adsorption capacity of rGO–MMT composite hydrogel is obviously higher than those of single rGO hydrogel and MMT due to the synergistic adsorption of rGO hydrogel and MMT. The adsorption of Cr(VI) ions on the rGO–MMT composite hydrogel follows linear pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the Langmuir model describes the adsorption process much better. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that adsorption is spontaneous, favorable and endothermic in nature.