Strengthening of Graphene Aerogels with Tunable Density and High Adsorption Capacity towards Pb2+

Graphene aerogels (GAs) with high mechanical strength, tunable density and volume have been prepared only via soaking graphene hydrogels (GHs) in ammonia solution. The density and volume of the obtained GAs are controlled by adjusting the concentration of ammonia solution. Although volume of the GAs decreases with increasing the concentration of ammonia solution, its specific surface area maintains at about 350 m2 g−1 and the inner structure changes to radial after ammonia solution treatment. Thus, GAs are particularly suitable for the adsorption and energy storage applications owing to their high specific surface area and unique porous structure. The adsorption capacity of GAs for Pb2+ from aqueous solution maintains at about 80 mg g−1, which could reach as high as 5000 g m−3 per unit volume and they can be separated easily from water after adsorption.