Sulfo-functional 3D porous cellulose/graphene oxide composites for highly efficient removal of methylene blue and tetracycline from water.

Cellulose/graphene oxide (CG) porous composites with 3D network structure were prepared via a solution mixing-regeneration and freeze-drying process. The CG aerogels were functionalized with 1,4-butane sultone under mild reaction conditions to achieve sulfated composite aerogels (SCGs), in which the sulfo groups were simultaneously introduced onto GO and cellulose components. The adsorption ability of SCG aerogel was greatly enhanced compared with CG aerogels. The fitting results of adsorption models suggested the monolayer adsorption and chemisorptive characteristics with the maximal uptake capacity as high as 421.9 mg/g for methylene blue (MB) and 163.4 mg/g for tetracycline (TC). The adsorption mechanism was also studied in detail. For the simulated wastewater containing MB and TC, the novel SCG adsorbent exhibited a removal efficiency of 99%. Furthermore, its adsorption capacity was not apparently deteriorated after seven cycles for MB and ten cycles for TC while the original structural integrity was almost maintained. Herein, this recyclable and reusable adsorbent exhibited the potential application on the removal of MB and TC from water.