Preparation of graphene/metal-organic composites and their adsorption performance for benzene and ethanol

Graphene/metal-organic composites were synthesized by a solvothermal method and characterized by nitrogen adsorption, SEM and IR and their adsorption properties for benzene and ethanol were investigated. It was found that the surface area and pore volume both have maximum values for a graphene oxide (GO) percentage of 5.25 wt%. The composites have high adsorption capacities for both benzene and ethanol, and the maximum uptakes reach 72 and 77 cm³/g, respectively. The adsorption capacities of volatile organic compounds are determined by both the pore structure and the surface properties. The maximum ethanol adsorption capacity for the composite with a GO percentage of 3.5 wt% is due to its abundant oxygen-containing functional groups.