Enhanced Immobilization of EDTA on Graphene Oxide Sponge by Siloxane Bridge for Multi-Pollutants Removal in Wastewater

This work developed an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-modified graphene oxide (GO) sponge to remove multi-pollutants in wastewater. During the grafting of the silicon-based EDTA (EDTA-Si) on the GO sponge, the abounded functional groups on the GO surface can interact with silane groups to form silane-bridging by removing water molecules. Thus, the silanol molecules can anchor EDTA-Si on the surface of GO, leading to stable adhesion toward the GO sponge. This proposed EDTA-Si/GO sponge can not only adsorb and chelate various heavy metals in wastewater but also degrade organic dyes by producing super radicals. This work provides a facile and eco-friendly strategy to remove heavy metals and organic pollutants in wastewater to achieve the availability and sustainable management of water with industrial applicability.