Wastewater Treatment using Innovative Green-Synthesized rGO, TiO2NPs, and rGO/TiO2 Nanocomposite: Structural, Morphological, Spectroscopic, Thermal, and Photocatalytic Studies
摘要
Recently, innovative research focused on combining 2D nanosheet materials with semiconducting metal oxide for several industrial applications. Notably, for wastewater treatment, new techniques were developed by experts to mitigate environmental hazards. The TiO2/reduced graphene (rGO) nanocomposite has recently attracted interest due to its superior activity in diverse fields, particularly water treatment. This study compares and evaluates the environmental application of innovative and eco-friendly synthesized TiO2NPs, rGO, and TiO2/rGO nanocomposite using Carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua) extract. Extensive morphological, structural, spectroscopic, thermal, and surface charge analysis was performed, including TEM, AFM, SEM mapping, X-ray diffraction, UV–visible, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, EDX, TGA, and the Zeta Potential analysis were performed to bring out the properties of synthesized nanomaterials. In addition, the phenolic compounds determined (30.78 ± 0.1 µg/mL) in the pods' extract confirmed their role in the reduction process to form rGO and TiO2NPs. Furthermore, the three designed nanomaterials were applied as adsorbent candidates for heavy metals and as photocatalysts for removing industrial dye from wastewater. The nanocomposite exhibited the highest absorption capacity for Zn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+. Also, the photocatalytic performance of the nanocomposite demonstrated a significant improvement in Methylene Blue (MB) dye elimination (90%, 15 min) compared to free TiO2NPs (87.5%, 150 min). The findings reveal that the green synthesized rGO/TiO2 nanocomposite can be used to improve the removal of heavy metals and dye contaminants from wastewater.
Graphical AbstractRepresents the green synthesis of rGO, TiO2, and rGO/TiO2 nanocomposite using carob extract and their potential application in wastewater treatment