Recoverable cellulose composite adsorbents for anionic/cationic dyes removal.

GO/HEC/PGDE/FeO materials were successfully fabricated using environmentally-friendly hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PGDE), graphene oxide (GO) and magnetic FeO. Systematic investigations were completed to explore the influences of GO content in GO/HEC/PGDE/FeO and adsorption conditions on the adsorptions of cationic dyes (methylene blue (MB), crystal violet (CV)) and anionic dye acid blue 25 (AB-25). The increase of GO content can remarkably improve the adsorption capacity of GO/HEC/PGDE/FeO for the dyes. The three kinetic, four isothermic and three thermodynamic models were investigated to reveal the adsorption behaviors of the dyes. The formation of HEC/PGDE/FeO and adsorption mechanisms of the dyes by GO/HEC/PGDE/FeO were suggested. The GO/HEC/PGDE/FeO endowed with easy-fabrication, eco-friendly feature, efficient adsorption capacity of anionic/cationic dyes, convenient separation and reusability has potential applications in wastewater purification industry.