Prospective application of eco-friendly banana peel reduced graphene oxide (BRGO) for aqueous Cr (VI) and acid dye adsorption: A waste utilization approach

Banana peels are an environmentally benign alternative to toxic reducing agents. Banana peel-reduced graphene oxide (BRGO) showed high performance in the adsorption of metal and dye ions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and a Zeta potential analyzer were used to characterize the BRGO. Different influencing factors such as pH, dose, concentration, duration, and temperature, were studied to evaluate the efficiency of the adsorbent. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were fitted for Cr (VI) and acid dye adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity (q_m) of BRGO for Cr (VI) and AV54 dye were 135.87 and 110.74 mg/g, respectively. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was better suited for Cr (VI) and AV54 dye adsorption, which indicated chemical adsorption. Thermodynamically, the adsorption exhibited spontaneity and was endothermic. Regeneration and reuse of adsorbents were also studied for potential use in treating tannery effluent.