Cross-Linked Double Network Graphene Oxide/Polymer Composites for Efficient Coagulation-Flocculation

Hybrid coagulant/flocculant consisting of nanomaterials have tremendous potential in solid-liquid separation and can be applied to the coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation process of water treatment. In this work, inspired by the mineralization in nature, a graphene oxide/polymer-based hybrid coagulant/flocculant that precipitates large-scale, multicomponent (e.g., dyes, heavy metal ions, and nanoparticles) and complex pollutants simultaneously at room temperature by forming double-network hydrogel through bioinspired Ca²⁺ crosslinking, is developed for the purification of wastewater. The coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation method developed here also provides a novel strategy for the preparation of macroscopic assemblies of multicomponents that can be applied to various application fields.