Graphene oxide/PVA/Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite for removal of arsenic from water

This study synthesised potent nanocomposites of graphene oxide (GO), magnetite (Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf>) nanoparticles, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (GO/PVA/Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf>) through a co-precipitation method for the extraction of arsenic (As(V)) from water. The nanocomposite demonstrated a flexible framework, where the chemical stability of PVA enabled strong hydrogen bonding with GO and Fe₃O₄, thereby ensuring uniform dispersion and enhancing arsenic adsorption efficiency. In this composite, GO acts as the adsorption site for the contaminants, PVA contributes structural stability, and Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> supports magnetic separation and adsorption. The impact of adsorbent quantity (1–6 g/L), contact time (0–360 min), and initial As(V) concentration (0.1–2 mg/L) on adsorption efficiency was evaluated. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved within one hour, and kinetic analysis confirmed that the process followed the pseudo-second-order (PSO) rate model. A systematic study showed that the optimised concentration of GO/PVA/Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> in water for the maximisation of As (V) removal efficacy is 4 g/L. The adsorption equilibrium analysis using the Langmuir isotherm model indicated a notable As(V) adsorption capacity of 0.512 mg/g. Hence, we suggest that GO/PVA/Fe<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> shows promise as an effective material that can effectively remediate heavy metals due to its notable aspects, such as substantial adsorption capacity and rapid adsorption kinetics.