Carbon nanomaterial-based aerogels for improved removal of copper(II), zinc(II), and lead(II) ions from water

Access to clean water continues to be an issue throughout the world. Carbon nanomaterials that were integrated into 2-D hybrid papers have previously shown the ability to adsorb metal ions, such as copper(ii), and polyaromatics. The use of single-wall carbon nanotube-graphene nanoplatelet (SWCNT-GnP) aerogels with a 3-D architecture has led to increased adsorption of polyaromatic compounds. Herein we demonstrate their increased ability to adsorb copper(ii), lead(ii), and zinc(ii) ions. Compared to SWCNT-GnP hybrid papers and activated carbon (AC), carbon nanomaterial (CNM)-based aerogels have an adsorption capacity, q, that is up to 5-fold, 7-fold, and 48-fold larger for copper, lead, and zinc, respectively.