Green in situ preparation of novel graphene-wrapped ethyl cellulose submicrospherical capsules and its effective use in Cr (VI) removal

A completely green method is reported here for the preparation of ethyl cellulose submicrospherical capsules wrapped with graphene. Graphene preparation is done by the sonication-assisted graphite exfoliation with the use of ethyl cellulose in an ethanol medium. Edge functionalization of graphene with ethyl cellulose under solvothermal treatment, as suggested from the XRD patterns, can be the driving force for the graphene wrapping of ethyl cellulose capsules that are formed during the addition of excess water to the stable graphene dispersion. Material morphology and structure are analyzed using various characterization techniques, and the novel nanocomposite is effectively used in Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solution, where maximum adsorption is observed in acidic pH indicating the dominance of electrostatic adsorption. The equilibrium data fitted more to Langmuir isotherm than the Freundlich isotherm. Graphical abstract Green one-pot method is reported here for the fabrication of ethyl cellulose submicrospherical capsules wrapped with graphene and is effectively used for Cr (VI) removal.