Carbon nanotubes hybridized graphene oxide composite for efficient capture of cationic dye from aqueous solution

A carbon architecture composite was made from multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with graphene oxide (GO) (MWCNTs-10/GO and MWCNTs-COOH-10/GO) and nominated as an adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) removal from contaminated water to further improve the organic pollutants capturing effectiveness. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra were used to perform the composition and textural features of the obtained composites. Several parameters were applied to reach the maximum adsorption capacity, which is pH 8.5 with contact time 60 min and 25°C, using 10 mg of composite. The removal capacities of MWCNTs/GO and MWCNTs-COOH/GO composites for removal of MB are found to be 705.4 and 850.1 mg g–1, respectively. The adsorption rate of dye onto composites well-stated by the pseudo- second-order model. Spontaneous and exothermic adsorption processes were verified by the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG°). Sequential adsorption–desorption processes showed that MWCNTs-10/GO and MWCNTs-COOH-10/GO retain their adsorption efficiency over four cycles. Thus, the composites carbon architecture was regarded as achievable and auspicious candidates for removing MB from contaminated water with high capacities and recycling.