Removal of 4-nonylphenol from Surface Water and Municipal Wastewater Effluent Using Three-Dimensional Graphene Oxide–Chitosan Aerogel Beads

In this study, aerogel beads composed of graphene oxide and chitosan (GOCA beads) were synthesized and then characterized by SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and BET techniques. The prepared adsorbent was used for the removal of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) from surface water and municipal wastewater effluent. The adsorption behavior of the nanocomposite was investigated using batch experiments by evaluating the effect of the adsorbent dosage, 4-NP concentration, pH, contact time, total dissolved solids (TDS), and temperature. The adsorption efficiency could reach 100% in 10 min at neutral pH with 1.5 mg L −1 of 4-NP concentration and 0.8 g L −1 of the adsorbent. It was found that the Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm ( R 2 = 0.9988, and RMSE = 0.17) with the adsorbents’ maximum capacity of 70.97 mg g −1 , and the pseudo-second-order ( R 2 = 0.9992), as well as the intraparticle diffusion ( R 2 = 0.9988 and 0.6717) kinetic models, are explained 4-NP adsorption perfectly. The adsorption efficiency increased by augmenting TDS up to 1000 mg L −1 . Thermodynamic investigations indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic, and reversible. The adsorbent recovery was successfully performed using ethanol up to 5 cycles. The removal efficiencies of 4-NP from surface water and municipal wastewater effluent were 99.2 and 86.3%, respectively. Since the adsorbent is non-poisonous, inexpensive, rapid adsorption, and easy to separate, we conclude that it will be a favorable option for the removal of 4-NP. Article Highlights 100% adsorption efficiency was achieved in 10 min at neutral pH. 4-NP adsorption on GOCSA beads follows Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm model. The adsorption follows pseudo second order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models. The adsorption efficiency increased by increasing TDS up to 1000 mg L −1 . The adsorbent recovery was successfully performed up to five cycles.