Synthesis of graphene oxide/nano-silica composite and its application for decontamination of 2,4-dinitroaniline from water

Abstract. Large scale manufacturing and processing of high energy materials for application in defense, aviation and space programs generate huge amount of explosive waste, which leads to the deterioration of our natural resources like water and soil. Therefore, concrete steps must be taken for treatment of explosive waste. Here, thermally reduced graphene oxide/nano-silica (rGO/nSiO2) composite was synthesized for its application for removal one of the explosive, 2,4-dinitroaniline (DNA). The synthesized nano-composites were characterized for morphological (Scanning Electron Microscope & Transmission electron microscope), physical (X-Ray Diffraction), chemical (Fourier Transform Infrared & Raman Spectroscopy) and thermo-gravimetric analysis. The morphological characterization of the nano-composites confirmed uniformed distribution of nSiO2 in a size range of 9-14 nm on the surface of reduced graphene oxide. Physical and chemical characterization illustrated crystallinity, chemical and thermal behavior of the nano-composite. Its efficiency towards removal of explosive (2, 4-DNA) was analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Kinetics studies were carried out to establish the removal efficiencyand kinetics parameter for removal of 2,4-DNA. The batch adsorption studies of 2,4-DNA, showed that composite follows pseudo second order kinetic.The high surface area of nano-composite along with catalytic properties makes the composite material suitable for removal of explosive under ambient conditions.