Efficient removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions using mixed oxides of cobalt oxide and tungsten trioxide modified graphene oxide

Abstract

A triple composition of cobalt oxide (Co3O4), tungsten trioxide (WO3), and graphene oxide (GO) is used to evaluate its effectiveness in degrading methylene blue. SEM reveals the cracked and porous structure of the ternary composition. TEM indicates an average grain size of 25 nm for WO3 and 35 nm for Co3O4. XRD analysis confirms the crystalline structure of Co3O4/WO3/GO. Thermal stability is tested across a temperature range from ambient to 1000 °C. The roughness average for Co3O4/WO3/GO is 3.2 nm. The composite, Co3O4/WO3/GO, exhibits antibacterial activity. The degradation efficiencies for methylene blue are as follows: Co3O4 (31.71 %), WO3 (51.22 %), Co3O4/GO (63.41 %), WO3/GO (70.73 %), Co3O4/WO3 (80.49 %), and Co3O4/WO3/GO (95.12 %) after 120 minutes of exposure to visible light. Therefore, binary and ternary nanocomposites are recommended for further investigations related to wastewater treatment.

Keywords

• Wastewater
• Co3O4/Wo3/GO
• Methylene blue
• Dye removal