Comprehensive strategy for PAH separation using Graphene-iron composites: ecotoxicology, multitechnique approaches, and statistical optimization via RSM

Wastewater treatment has become a trending environmental concern because the water crisis is a crucial concern. In this study, Graphene-iron composites were synthesized by different processes, and a comparative analysis was done for the best-optimized process; the efficacy of treating wastewater by adsorption and advanced oxidation (ozonation and Fenton oxidation) in removing polyaromatics was evaluated. The characteristics of the obtained iron nanocomposites were evaluated using different compositions and physicochemical and mechanical characteristics such as FTIR, SEM, TGA, DSC, and DTA. Various parameters like pH, the concentration of adsorbent, and adsorbent dosage were also assessed, which intimates that Graphene-iron composite using adsorption study has shown the removal using phenol and naphthalene of about 35% and 40% with optimum pH 8, adsorbent dosage 90 mg/ml, adsorbate concentration 180 mg/L; Fenton oxidation results depicted a removal of 50% and 60% with optimum pH 7–8, with concentration 5 mg/L at 15 min, and Ozonation intimated a removal of 40% and 45% with optimum pH 7–8 maintaining a concentration of 100 mg/L at 35 min which evaluated that the composites have been the potential adsorbents for current wastewater treatment and can be further used in the purification of drinking.

Graphical Abstract