Highly efficient green-synthesized sucrose-derived graphene silica and carbonate sand composites for copper (II) ions removal

In this study, the efficacy of three important adsorbents- pure sand, a sucrose-derived graphene sand composite, and an innovative 3D sucrose-derived graphene composite using silica and carbonate sands for transforming the field of copper (II) ion removal was meticulously explored. Coating the surfaces of silica and porous carbonate sands with sucrose and subjecting them to heat treatment resulted in the formation of layered graphene on the sands. Converting these materials into 3D structures creates a cost-effective and efficient 3D graphene adsorbent with nano-porous channels. The graphene silica sand composite, boasting a thickness of 9 cm, achieved an impressive 82.4% removal rate, while the carbonate sand composite with 9 cm thick achieved an astonishing 99% removal rate due to its high specific surface area and porous structure. Among the utilized adsorbents, the 3D graphene carbonate sand composite, boasting a lower thickness of 4.5 cm and featuring an ingenious multilayered graphene coating and nanoporous channels, displayed a high efficiency of 96.4% in removing copper (II) ions, making it the most effective among all the studied adsorbents. The significant results pave the way for the development of economically viable, highly efficient, and environmentally friendly adsorbents, representing a major stride in combating copper contamination.

Graphical Abstract