Synthesis, Characterization, and Dye Removal Applications of Graphene Oxide-Gold Nanocomposite

Abstract

Here, we report the facile synthesis of graphene oxide/gold nanocomposite, and dye removal ability as an adsorbent was studied. Sodium citrate as a reducing agent was used to reduce Au (III) ions to the formation of gold nanoparticles on the surface of graphene oxide sheets that were prepared by Hummers’ method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to specify nanocomposite synthesis. Adsorption dosage and contact time were investigated and explained as influencing parameters in removing methylene blue and methyl orange. In optimum conditions, the amount of adsorbent 30 mg and contact time 15 min for methylene blue and the amount of adsorbent 30 mg and contact time 25 min for methyl orange were quantitatively removed from 10 mL of wastewater. The pseudo-second-order model explained the kinetic data. Since graphene oxide/gold nanocomposite could be reused reasonably and had adsorptive properties, it tends to be produced as a modest and elective adsorbent to treat wastewater.