AlCrO3-grafted g-C3N4 composite for cadmium ions removal: A paradigm shift in environmental remediation

Abstract

The appealing graphitic phase carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is extensively utilized for environmental remediation; however, some of its intrinsic drawbacks still need to be amended. Herein, the g-C₃N₄ quality was improved by anchoring to AlCrO₃ nanoparticles to acquire a competent ternary AlCrO₃@g-C₃N₄ composite for the cadmium ions elimination. The composite elemental compositions were verified by the EDX and XPS to specify the C, N, Cr, Al, and O as the composing elements, and the XRD structural analysis revealed the development of both the g-C₃N₄ and AlCrO₃. The presence of some functional groups (C–N, CN, –NH–, –NH_2, and –OH) as detected by the FTIR and a large surface area of 89.94 m² g⁻¹ qualified it to successfully eliminate.mg.g⁻¹ of Cd⁺² ions from an aqueous solution. The Cd⁺² ion adsorption was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model, while the kinetics matched with the pseudo-second-order style. The high adsorption aptitude of the synthesized adsorbent could be accredited to the numerous adsorption sites, π-π conjugate interactions, and electrostatic attractions with the metal ions in water as publicized by mechanistic study.