Outstanding adsorption performance of graphene–carbon nanotube aerogels for continuous oil removal

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 80; pp. 523 - 533
• Main Authors: Kabiri, Shervin, Tran, Diana N.H., Altalhi, Tariq, Losic, Dusan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adsorption; Aerogels; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Economics; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Graphene; Materials science; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanostructure; Nanotubes; Networks; Physics; Porous materials; Reduction; Surface physical chemistry; Three dimensional; Chemical reduction; Oil; Synthesis; Adsorption; Aerogel; Graphene; Graphite; Carbon nanotubes; Rocks; Graphene oxide
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2014.08.092

We report a green approach for synthesis of graphene–carbon nanotube aerogels with three dimensional (3D) interconnected networks prepared from natural graphite rocks. A one-step reaction under the synergic effects of the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) sheets and acid treated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by ferrous ion is employed eliminating the use of harsh chemicals for the reduction of GO. CNTs are incorporated into the network to increase the robustness and hydrophobicity of aerogels with excellent porosity and oleophilic properties. The prepared aerogels exhibit outstanding adsorption performance for the removal of petroleum products, fats and organic solvents especially under continuous vacuum regime showing adsorption capacity of 28L of oil per gram of aerogel. The proposed synthetic method is simple and economical for the scalable production of highly porous 3D graphene–carbon nanotube aerogels, which can be successfully used for efficient and cost-effective oil spill clean-up and water purification.