Environmentally friendly low-cost graphene oxide-cellulose nanocomposite filter for dye removal from water

Abstract

Objectives: This study primarily aims to develop a simple, cost-effective, eco-friendly nanocomposite filter for dye removal by adsorption. In this work, graphite oxide and graphene oxide were synthesized using a modified Hummers’ process and used to fabricate nanocomposite filters by co-precipitation reactions. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were performed on nanofillers revealing crystallographic and morphological properties of the nanofillers. Methods: Furthermore, bio-based cellulose composite filters were fabricated using graphene oxide, graphite oxide, and graphene on the leaf of Ficus religiosa (L.) (i.e., Peepal leaf) in various concentrations and were studied for the adsorption of organic dye (i.e., methylene blue). Scanning electron microscopy was also performed on nano filters where a good dispersion of nanofillers in the composite was observed. Results and Conclusions: The efficiency and capacity of these materials as filters were compared via column studies. These findings offer a direction for the development of an eco-friendly, efficient nano filter for the removal of organic dye from water. The composite containing graphene oxide and cellulose in the weight ratio of 4:1 (wt:wt) was significantly useful in combination with Peepal leaf as a filter to adsorb organic dyes from water.

Keywords

• Graphene Oxide
• Nanocomposites
• Dye removal
• Peepal Leaf
• Bio-filter