Graphene oxide and its composites for adsorption of radionuclides in water

With the rapid development and application of nuclear energy and technology, a large number of radioactive wastewater was produced, which caused potential pollution to the ecological environment. The research on radioactive wastewater treatment is of great significance to environmental protection. Graphene oxide and its composites have attracted much attention in the field of radioactive wastewater treatment because of their high specific surface area, abundant functional groups, strong adsorption capacity and good chemical stability. Recent research status and progress on adsorption of radionuclides in water by graphene oxide and its composites were reviewed. The adsorption capacity, adsorption isothermal model, adsorption thermodynamics, influencing factors and adsorption mechanism of graphene oxide and its composites for radionuclides were introduced. In the end, the problems and challenges faced by the research on graphene oxide and its composites in the treatment of radionuclides in terms of radiation stability and high adsorption selectivity were analyzed. The key research directions for promoting the application of the graphene oxide and its composites in practical radioactive wastewater treatment projects in the future were discussed, such as the perfect industrial system and actively developing a set of matching water treatment processes and equipments.