GREEN SYNTHESIS OF nZVI/GNP NANOCOMPOSITE AS AN OXIDATION CATALYST FOR RHODAMINE B DEGRADATION IN AQUEOUS MEDIUM

Abstract

The advancement of sustainable nanomaterials for wastewater remediation has garnered considerable interest in recent years. This study successfully produced a nano zero-valent iron/graphene nanoplatelet (nZVI/GNP) nanocomposite using a green synthesis approach and assessed its efficacy as an oxidation catalyst for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in an aqueous environment. The synthesized nZVI/GNP shown exceptional catalytic performance, attaining over 90% elimination of RhB after 120 minutes, owing to improved electron transport and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production resulting from the synergistic interactions between nZVI and GNP. Kinetic analysis revealed that RhB degradation adhered to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R² = 0.97863), signifying chemisorption as the prevailing process. The second-order rate constant k₂= 0.00119L/g·min was markedly greater than the first-order rate constant k₁= 0.04944min⁻¹, hence affirming the enhanced catalytic efficacy of nZVI/GNP. The green synthesis method not only mitigates environmental effect but also improves the stability and reactivity of nZVI, rendering it a viable option for sustainable water treatment applications. This research underscores the efficacy of nZVI/GNP as a powerful oxidation catalyst for the elimination of organic pollutants. Future study should concentrate on enhancing the synthesis method,
expanding its applicability, and evaluating the long-term stability and recyclability of the nanocomposite for effective wastewater treatment.