Preparation and characterization of cross-linked graphene oxide-based composites for adsorption-based applications
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Tabil, Lope | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Szpunar, Jerzy | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Oguocha , Ike | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Fotouhi , Reza | |
| dc.creator | Sabzevari, Mina 1988- | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2019-06-27T20:18:48Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2020-06-27T06:05:09Z | |
| dc.date.created | 2019-06 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019-06-27 | |
| dc.date.submitted | June 2019 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2019-06-27T20:18:48Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | Increasing activities in industry have resulted in wastewater generation that contains contaminants. Therefore, several methodologies have been developed to manage wastewater pollutants in which adsorption technology using graphene-based materials may offer an approach for efficient wastewater remediation. This Ph.D. thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide (GO)-based composites for adsorption-based applications. In the present study, chitosan (CTS) and aluminum ions (Al3+) as cross-linkers were utilized to enhance physical properties, mechanical performance and adsorption properties of GO by use of a solution-based method. The adsorption properties of samples were studied in solution and in the gas phase. Also, structural, morphological, physical, ion permeability, and mechanical properties of the GO and GO-based composites were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ion permeability determination and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), respectively. Mechanical properties of GO upon addition of cross-linkers were analyzed statistically by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA). Interaction of CTS and Al3+ ions with functional groups of GO sheets were supported by changes in surface charge of the GO sheets and spectroscopy techniques. SEM results showed that cross-linking of GO changes its porosity and layered morphology. The TGA results revealed that the GO-based composites exhibited a gradual weight loss which started at higher temperatures as compared with GO due to cross-linking effects. In addition, it was found that the swelling degree of GO reduced and was demonstrated to be more stable in water upon cross-linking. The sorption properties of GO in solution and the gas phase were found to remarkably improve upon formation of a GO-based composite. The results of Ion permeability tests indicated that GO composites had variable ion transport characteristics according to the changes in inter-layer spacing of GO sheets upon cross-linking. Additionally, the use of cross-linkers led to an increase in the mechanical properties of GO-based composites as compared with pure GO. ANOVA revealed that GO-based composites have a statistically significant enhancement in mechanical properties over pure GO. Therefore, GO-based composites prepared via cross-linking GO sheets have great potential for use as an alternative adsorbent and/or membrane for adsorption-based applications. | |
| dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10388/12150 | |
| dc.subject | graphene oxide | |
| dc.subject | cross-linking | |
| dc.subject | adsorption | |
| dc.subject | composite | |
| dc.title | Preparation and characterization of cross-linked graphene oxide-based composites for adsorption-based applications | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| dc.type.material | text | |
| local.embargo.terms | 2020-06-27 | |
| thesis.degree.department | Mechanical Engineering | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Mechanical Engineering | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Saskatchewan | |
| thesis.degree.level | Doctoral | |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) |