Design of a recyclable Y2O3-g-C3N4 as an auspicious nanosorbent for removing malachite green dye

Abstract

The recent development of industrial and agricultural technology has led to severe environmental damage, most notably water pollution, which poses a serious threat to water security, considering population increases and a decrease in global drinking water sources. In this direction, a nanostructure (Y₂O₃-g-C₃N₄) with a BET surface area of 82.14 m². g⁻¹ was employed for the first time as a novel sorbent to remove malachite green (MG) from the aqueous phase. Besides, the SEM, TEM, and EDX data verified the integration of 14.17 nm Y₂O₃ nanoparticles into the g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. The experimental adsorption results confirmed the best fitting to the well-known Langmuir isotherm equation, achieving q_max = 1297 mg g¹ of MG uptake, and the kinetic model calculations revealed a single-step mechanism involving a pseudo-second-order chemical reaction with a rate constant of 0.00134 mg./mg. min, which accounted for the chemisorption of MG dye on the Y₂O₃-g-C₃N₄ nanostructure sample. Due to its ease of manufacture and ecologically acceptable procedure, the Y₂O₃-g-C₃N₄ nanostructure was recognized as a desirable and promising candidate for eradicating tainted organic dyes. The newly synthesized Y₂O₃-g-C₃N₄ nanostructure with a high surface area demonstrated a short contact time, outstanding removal capacity, five times recyclability, and multiple dyes elimination nominating it a potentially valuable nanosorbent for the adsorption of dyes from wastewater.