Renewable Reduced Graphene Oxide Aerogels Fabricated via Self-Assembly and Template-Etching Techniques for Efficient Removal of Dioxins and Aromatic Pollutants

The effective removal of dioxins and other aromatic pollutants remains a critical global environmental challenge. To address this challenge, this study focuses on a reduced graphene oxide aerogel (rGOA) constructed via self-assembly and template-etching methods. The rGOA features a highly porous structure and thermal stability, enabling efficient adsorption and regeneration. The as-prepared rGOA exhibits a highly porous structure and excellent adsorption performance, achieving over 99% adsorption efficiency for dioxin, p-aminophenol, and pyrene methanol at dosages of 30 mg, 40 mg, and 25 mg, respectively. Furthermore, the kinetic models indicated that the adsorption process followed a physical adsorption mechanism, while the isotherm models exhibited characteristics of multilayer adsorption. Specifically, the high KF values (153.231, 110.148, and 177.288) and low 1/n ratios (0.183, 0.155, and 0.157) of dioxin, p-aminophenol, and pyrene methanol at 298 K reflected favorable adsorption affinity, highlighting the rGOA's superior pollutant removal performance. High-temperature treatment facilitates the degradation of adsorbed pollutants without compromising the structural integrity of the aerogel, allowing for repeated reuse. Even after 10 cycles of adsorption and pyrolysis, the aerogel maintained a high adsorption efficiency of 90%. This study highlights rGOA as a sustainable and efficient adsorbent for the removal of aromatic pollutants, offering a viable solution to mitigate environmental contamination and promote resource recovery.