Utilization of GO-CS-AgNP nanocomposite for organic pollutant removal from tannery wastewater: A sustainable approach

Abstract

The leather industry, often criticized for its substantial contribution to environmental pollution, has frequently overlooked the removal of organic contaminants from its wastewater. In response, this study aimed to revolutionize the treatment of tannery effluent by fabricating GO-CS-AgNP nanocomposite with noticeable adsorption efficiency for organic pollutants. Rigorous analysis, including XRD, TEM, SEM, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, provided a comprehensive understanding of the physico-chemical properties of GO-CS-AgNP nanocomposite. To optimize its adsorption performance, several parameters were carefully considered, including pH levels, optimal dosage, and contact time respectively. Surprisingly, employing just 0.12 g/L of the nanocomposite and 50 min of stirring at a pH of 6.0 produced highly promising adsorption results of pollutants, as evidenced by UV–Vis Spectroscopy at 450 nm. Notably, GC–MS analysis revealed an impressive 94.05 % removal of total organic pollutants, coupled with substantial reductions of 85.94 and 62.63 % in BOD and COD, respectively. Furthermore, the nanocomposite exhibited efficacy in removing potentially toxic metals. The findings of the study underscored the adherence of GO-CS-AgNP nanocomposite to the Freundlich isotherm model and a pseudo-2nd order kinetic reaction, establishing it as a sustainable and effective solution for minimizing pollution in the leather industry without compromising the environment, representing a significant leap toward more environmentally conscious tannery practices.