Effect of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on Nd-TiO₂/graphene oxide nanocomposite for removal of lead(II) and copper(II) from aquatic media

In order to investigate the effect of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on adsorbing capacity of nanosorbent Nd-TiO₂/GO, Nd-TiO₂/HPC/GO, Nd-TiO₂/PVP/GO and Nd-TiO₂/PEG/GO nanocomposites were synthesized. Studies by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the expected structure and X-ray diffraction results confirmed the formation of crystalline phase of anatase titania and also graphene oxide (GO). Scanning electron microscopy pictures and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed the formation of Nd-TiO₂ nanoparticles. These nanocomposites were used for removal of lead(II) and copper(II) from water and the effective factors on removal were optimized. The results showed that the maximum removal for all three nanocomposites was at pH = 7. The amount of adsorbent and contact time for Nd-TiO₂/HPC/GO and Nd-TiO₂/PVP/GO nanocomposites was equal to 0.02 g and 20 minutes respectively, but they were equal to 0.01 g and 15 minutes for Nd-TiO₂/PEG/GO nanocomposite. Investigating the effect of interfering ions showed they had no considerable effect on removal efficiency. In order to investigate the effect of photocatalytic activity in optimal conditions and in the presence of visible–ultraviolet light, the removal process was performed. The results showed an increase in removal efficiency. Furthermore, the ability of synthesized nanosorbents to decompose organic compounds available in water was confirmed and their energy band gaps were calculated.