Removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution by metal organic frameworks-graphene

oxide (MOFs-GO) nanocomposite adsorbent

Norfadhilatuladha Abdullah1,2,Nik Abdul Hadi Md Nordin3, Norhaniza Yusof1,2*,Ahmad Fauzi Ismail1,2,Nurasyikin

Misdan4,Nur Hanis Hayati Hairom4

1 Advanced Membrane Technology Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
2 Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FCEE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Norhaniza Yusof,
norhaniza@petroleum.utm.my
3 Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
4 Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Johor.
*corresponding author:norhaniza@petroleum.utm.my

composite. The GO sheet acts as support or template to

INTRODUCTION
Efforts to prepared composite materials consist of
graphene and MOF are recently explored. The composite
material is possible mainly due to the versatility of MOF
that ease the interaction with graphene. Oxidized state of
graphene, better known as graphene oxide (GO), interacts
with organic precursor of MOF, specifically on the
carboxyl group at the edge of GO flakes, and acts as
templates for MOF formation [1]. The composite exhibit
unique properties from both of the parent materials with
active surface chemistry of graphene and high pore
structure of MOF. Since their inception, the MOF/GO has
emerged as potential materials for various applications
such as lithium ion battery, gas adsorption, supercapacitor
and biosensor [2]. Nevertheless, its application in water-
contaminants adsorption is limited. Thus, this study
attempted to synthesis evaluate the feasibility of zeolitic
imidazole frameworks 8(ZIF-8)/graphene oxide (GO) and
its feasibility to remove lead (II) from aqueous solution.
EXPERIMENTAL/THEORETICAL STUDY
2.1 ZIF-8/GO Composite Synthesis
The ZIF-8/GO nanocomposite was prepared following the
procedure of [3]. The dissolved Zn(NO 3)2.6H2O (6.72
mmol) metal salts were slowly added into ligand solution
containing 2-MeIM (3.312g, 40.34 mmol). The solution
was stirred vigorously for 30 minutes, followed by
centrifugation of the reaction product. The obtained
product was washed several times with deionized water to
remove excess reactants and subsequently dried in an
oven at 60C for 12 hours. The prepared ZIF-8/GO was
later subjected for characterizations (TEM,XRD,BET)
and its feasibility towards adsorption of Pb(II) was also
conducted.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
XRD analysis showed that the ZIF-8/GO is a crystalline
material, as reported by many other studies. Incorporating
GO into ZIF-8, the specific surface area had increased
from 715.54 m2/g to 772.68 m2/g. Under TEM analysis,
the morphology of the composite ZIF-8/GO revealed a
very good agreement to the existence of GO in the
the ZIF-8. Meanwhile, for adsorption study of Pb(II), the
removal of Pb(II) by ZIF-GO is higher as compared to the
pure ZIF-8 at optimum pH of 6.0. It is presumed that the
existence of GO improved the adsorption of Pb in
addition to the good surface area that ZIF-8 possesses.
Fig1: morphology of ZIF-8,GO and ZIF-8/GO under
TEM analysis
CONCLUSION
ZIF-8/GO has been successfully prepared via aqueous
system method at room temperature. TEM analysis
showed that GO morphologically acts as template to the
MOF. Adsorption study revealed that the potential of this
nanocomposite as adsorbent to remove water
contaminants from water.
REFERENCES
1. S. Bashkova and T. J. Bandosz, J Colloid Interface Sci,
vol. 417, pp. 109-114 (2014).
2. W. Bao et.al., Electrochimica Acta, vol. 127, pp. 342-
348 (2014).
3. X.-W. Liu et.al., Journal of Materials Chemistry A, vol.
4, pp. 3584-3616 (2016).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial
support from Malaysian Ministry of Education (Higher
Institution Centre of Excellence) and Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia under Grant No. R.J090301.7846.4J179 and
Q.J130000.2546.12H54.