An Easy and Low-Cost Preparation of Graphene-Metal Oxide Anchored Hydrolyzed Cellulose Photocatalytic Composites for Degradation of Dye in Waste Waters

In this study, graphene-metal oxide photocatalyst (G-Mox) was prepared in a low-cost single step carbonization process for an alternative solution to water scarcity. Photocatalytic polymeric composites were obtained according to the nonsolvent induced phase separation technique. Photocatalyst was mixed with the hydrolyzed cellulose (prepared from textile waste)-PVDF in dimethyl formamide solution. Physicochemical and structural properties of powder and composites were characterized by X ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Photoluminescence analysis and contact angle measurements of photocatalyst were carried out. The photocatalytic properties of the synthesized composites were evaluated in batch and filtration system using the methyl orange (MO) as a model pollutant. The highest decolorization percentage was obtained as 91.8%. Kinetic studies revealed that Phc-30 composite showed the highest removal capacity at equilibrium with Q _e :383 among the prepared catalysts. The flux and rejection% of Phc-20 at filtration cell were calculated as 42 L.m ^− 2 .h ^− 1 .bar ^− 1 and 73% respectively. The Phc composites were found to be highly reusable and suitable as membrane materials with considerable dye removal performance and easy applicability.