Construction of self-template 2D porous carbon nano sheets (2D PCNSs) from potassium gluconate (C₆H₁₁O₇K) for the efficient adsorption of dye contaminant

Convenient adsorption and removal of dye contaminants still remain a problem for now. In this article, self-templated 2D porous carbon nanosheets (2D PCNSs) with laminar structure were constructed from potassium gluconate. Functioning as support framework and precursor of the porous laminar structure, potassium gluconate was proved a desirable porous carbon origin innovatively with low-cost and accessibility. The morphology, elemental composition and textural property were characterized via multiple analytical methods. The presented 2D PCNSs possessed high specific surface area and large pore volumes. And its adsorption capacity towards methylene blue was systematically investigated by batch experiments in both thermodynamics and kinetics models. The adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, and in well coincided with the model of Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption process was defined as a pseudo-second-order kinetics model under the control of surface and intra-particle diffusion mechanisms with a maximum adsorption capacity up to 688.76 mg/g. In addition, the reusability suggested it could be utilized as an efficient adsorbent for MB contaminants in wastewater treatment.