Graphene Oxide-Cellulose Composite for the Adsorption of Uranium(VI) from Dilute Aqueous Solutions

A composite graphene oxide-cellulose (GOC) adsorbent was prepared from raw materials of graphite and cellulose. The structure and micromorphology of the products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption characteristics of GOC together with graphite oxide (GO) in terms of uranium(VI) removal from aqueous solution was investigated in the batch mode reactor. The effect of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time on the adsorption characteristics of uranium(VI) was studied. Results were fitted by both the Langmuir and the Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The removal efficiency of uranium(VI) was strongly dependent on the solution pH. Graphene oxide-cellulose was used to treat a real uranium(VI)-bearing wastewater and results were promising of GOC for the management of radioactive industrial wastewater.