Recent Developments in Graphene-Based Adsorbents for Environmental Applications

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Graphene and its derivatives are extensively researched for environmental remediation due to their large surface area and tunable properties.
• This review focuses on advancements in graphene-based adsorbents for water, air, and soil purification over the last five years.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent developments in graphene-based materials for environmental remediation.
• To provide an overview of graphene derivatives, synthesis methods, and their adsorption performance.
• To identify challenges and future directions in the field.

Main Methods:

• Overview of graphene and its derivatives (graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, etc.).
• Comparative analysis of synthesis methods (exfoliation, CVD, oxidation/reduction, flash Joule heating).
• Discussion on surface functionalization and composite formation impacts on adsorption.

Main Results:

• High adsorption capacities reported for water treatment: 484.3 mg g^-1 for organic dyes and 157.23 mg g^-1 for Cr(VI).
• CO₂ capture capacity of 3.3 mmol g^-1 with retained performance over 40 cycles for air purification.
• Arsenic immobilization efficiency up to 99.3% in soil remediation.

Conclusions:

• Graphene-based materials demonstrate significant potential across water, air, and soil remediation applications.
• Surface functionalization and composite strategies enhance adsorption performance.
• Further research is needed on scalability, real-world applicability, and ecotoxicological impacts.