Formulation of PB-Immobilized GO Aerogels for Calorimetric Detection, Reduction of Phenolic Compounds, and the Effect of Shielding Toward Ionizing Radiation

In the present investigation, 2D graphene oxide (GO) was converted into a networked 3D aerogel (GOA) via the sol–gel route using ethylenediamine with subsequent freeze drying. A Prussian blue-enhanced aerogel (PBGOA) was formed by the successful immobilization of Prussian blue on the graphene oxide aerogel. Besides, the optical and structural properties of the formed aerogels were analyzed using UV–vis (DRS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX) analyses effectively. From the results, the absorption peaks were found at 390 nm for GOA and 267 and 720 nm for PBGOA, and the respective band gaps were found to be 2.08 and 1.62 eV, respectively. The oxidation of graphite, formation of graphene oxide, and deformation in the structures were studied using X-ray diffraction analysis and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies within the potential window of −1 to +1 V revealed that PBGOA effectively possessed redox behavior. The colorimetric detection of phenol was performed using an inhibition mechanism on absorption signals at 650 nm, followed by the limit of detection, which was found to be 9.3 × 10³ μM. Moreover, the catalytic reduction of nitro compounds was performed, and a maximum reduction of 94% was obtained at 30 min in the presence of PBGOA. The synthesized aerogels were subjected to X-ray and γ irradiation at different energies (1–50 Gy) to check the stability of the aerogels prepared. The study revealed that the degradation percentage (%) of PBGOA at the onset of X-ray and γ radiations was 44.57 and 37.77%, respectively. Hence, PBGOA can effectively act as a multifunctional catalyst, especially in the detection and elimination of phenols.