Synthesis of r-GO/PANI/ZnO based material and its application in the treatment of wastewater containing Cd²⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ ions

ABSTRACT

This work provides an environmentally friendly synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Syzygium cumini (Jamun) leaves extract and their incorporation with reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) and polyaniline (PANI) to form r-GO/PANI/ZnO. XRD, SEM, EDX, and FTIR techniques were used to characterize the r-GO/PANI/ZnO nanocomposite, which was then used to remove hazardous Cd²⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ ions from aqueous media. FTIR spectroscopy has confirmed the presence of N-H, C = O, C = N, C = C, C-C, C-Zn, Zn-O etc. bonds on the surface of r-GO/PANI/ZnO; the XRD pattern of r-GO/PANI/ZnO indicates its amorphous nature. Different batch parameters were used to perform the adsorption-based removal. The optimal conditions for maximum water decontamination have been identified. Different isotherm and kinetic models were used to test the experimental findings. Maximum adsorption capacities of r-GO/PANI/ZnO were found to be 12.033 and 22.522 mg/g for Cd²⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ ions, whereas rate constants (k₂) observed as 1.547 and 84.033 g/mg/min, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Syzygium cumini
• leaves extract
• ZnO NPs
• r-GO/PANI/ZnO
• adsorption

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the Division of Research & Innovation (Uttaranchal University) for providing all necessary facilities during the experimental work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).