Graphene oxide-embedded chitosan/gelatin hydrogel particles for the adsorptions of multiple heavy metal ions

Spherical-shaped graphene oxide-embedded chitosan/gelatin hydrogel particles (CGGO) were prepared by using inverse suspension method from biopolymers chitosan and gelatin with graphene oxide for the adsorption of heavy metal ions (HM). The prepared CGGO particles were characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. HM-Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Cr(III) adsorption experiments using CGGO showed 55% removal efficiency of Hg(II) in the single metal system. However, in the multiple metal ion system, all metal ions showed removal efficiency > 70%. This suggests that the prepared hydrogel particles can be effectively used for the removal of HM. The preparation method also paves the way for the large-scale production of hydrogel particles as HM adsorbents.