Synthesis and characterization of chitosan grafted molybdenum disulfide composites as an adsorbent for graphene oxide removal

Herein, the chitosan grafted molybdenum disulfide (CS/MoS2) was successfully synthesized for the effective elimination of graphene oxide (GO) from aqueous solutions. The results confirmed that the elimination of GO was dependent on solution pH, and the presence of positively charged cations was conducive to GO removal. The thermodynamic study indicated that the retention of GO on CS/MoS2 was an endothermic process and the high temperature promoted GO removal. The capture of GO only took place at the surface of CS/MoS2. Furthermore, the removal of GO relied on the electrostatic attraction. The hydroxyl groups can form a hydrogen bond with GO, which also promoted GO removal. This study can contribute to the elimination of GO and reduce its negative environmental effects.