Efficient Removal of Microplastics Using Magnetic-Reduced Graphene Oxide (MrGO) as an Adsorbent Material

Microplastics (MPs) are prominent environmental pollutants, that exert adverse impacts on natural ecosystems and organisms, which consequently pose direct threats to both food security and human health. Magnetic-reduced graphene oxide (MRGO) has demonstrated exceptional potential as an adsorbent material. It could be easily separated from water using an external magnetic field. In this study, the utility of MRGO as an efficient adsorbent material for MPs was explored. Graphene oxide (GO) and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using an improved Hummer's method and the chemical coprecipitation method, respectively. MRGO was prepared as a composite material incorporating GO and Fe₃O₄ NPs. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs were employed as the model MP. PET powder with a maximum particle size of 50 μm was dispersed in an ethanol-water 1:1 mixture. Subsequently, the adsorption process was conducted under different PET concentrations and MRGO dosages. UV-Vis spectroscopic results show that MRGO exhibits remarkable adsorption capabilities, achieving a maximum MPs removal efficiency of 73.49% in two hours. FTIR, SEM and TGA analyses were also carried out to confirm the findings. The combined results suggest that MRGO makes an efficient adsorbent for the removal of MPs.