This study determined the nitrate removal efficiency of graphene oxide (GO), activated GO (AGO), dendrimer-graphene oxide (PAMAM-GO) and activated PAMAM-GO (A PAMAM-GO) for the first time in the world. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with EDS and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the nanostructures. Experiments were performed in a batch reactor. Results showed that GO, PAMAM and PAMAM-GO could not serve as effective materials for nitrate removal. The efficiency of GO and PAMAM was developed by activation and composition so that 0.4 g/l AGO removed 80% of the nitrate in 40 min at a pH of 7.5. The highest removal efficiency was obtained with A PAMAM-GO. By some characterizations using EDS and FTIR as well as according to the functionalized using hydrochloric acid, we understand that the ion exchange between nitrate and chloride is the main mechanism of nitrate removal by AGO and A PAMAM-GO. © 2017 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.
