Graphene oxide templated alumina nanosheet for the removal of As(V)

The current paper demonstrates a simple preparative method of alumina nanosheet through controlled hydrolysis and condensation on the surface of graphene oxide (GO). Taking into account the moisture sensitivity of the alumina precursor, its hydrolysis was carried out after introduction of interaction between the functional groups of GO and the alumina precursor in a non-aqueous solvent. On pyrolysis of the aluminum oxide-GO composite, a free-standing alumina nanosheet was obtained, which was further confirmed by XRD, TEM, STEM-EDX, FE-SEM, TGA, and N₂ physisorption. Due to a favorable nanosheet structure, the alumina nanosheets showed a better performance in the removal of As (V) when compared to alumina prepared without GO template, even though the latter had a larger surface area than the alumina nanosheet.