Green synthesis of chitosan/erythritol/graphene oxide composites for simultaneous removal of some toxic species from simulated solution

In this study, chitosan (Ch) is adapted via green methodology including sonication induced crosslinking with different weight ratios of erythritol (Er) from (Ch-Er)(1) to (Ch-Er)(4). The products were casted in the form of thin films. The chemical modification was proved via FTIR spectroscopy. Then, the modified products were verified via an atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigation for their topography and surface properties. The data revealed that the optimized sample was (Ch-Er)(3). This sample was further modified by different weight ratios of graphene oxide 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 wt./wt. (symbolized as (Ch-Er)(3)GO(1), (Ch-Er)(3)GO(2), (Ch-Er)(3)GO(4), and (Ch-Er)(3)GO(8) respectively). The prepared samples were investigated by different analytical tools. Then, the adjusted sample (Ch-Er)(3)GO(2) was irradiated by electron beam (e-beam) at 10 and 20 kGy of irradiation doses to give samples (Ch-Er)(3)GO(2)R(10) and (Ch-Er)(3)GO(2)R(20), respectively. The AFM data of the irradiated samples showed that the pore size decreases, and surface roughness increases at higher energy e-beam due to the formation of more crosslinking points. The optimum samples of the prepared formulations were tested as sorbent materials for simultaneous elimination of methylene blue (MB) dye and mercury cation (Hg(2+)) from simulated solutions. The maximum removal of both MB dye and Hg(2+) cation was achieved by (Ch-Er)(3)GO(2)R(10) (186.23 mg g(−1) and 205 mg g(−1)) respectively. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-022-23951-4.