Development of a new promising nanocomposite photocatalyst of polyaniline/carboxylated graphene oxide supported on PVA film to remove different ecological pollutants

The process of removing dye and antibiotic contaminants from wastewater is quite challenged, especially with water shortage crisis. In this study, for the first time a composite of polyaniline (PANI) and carboxylated graphene oxide (CGO) supported on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film (PVA/PANI/CGO) was investigated as anticipated nanocomposite film that can be used to promote wastewater treatment. The effectiveness of this nanocomposite film in wastewater treatment was optimized in a batch system for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline antibiotic (TC). The presence of CGO proved to be significant in both adsorption and photocatalytic process and assist the photocatalytic activity of PANI. The optimized conditions for photodegradation process were assessed by using a response surface methodology model (RSM). The optimum resulting scores at 25 °C and pH equal 7 for achieving 97.8 removal % for MB were 15.3 mg L−1 initial concentration, with using 2 lamps as a maximum light intensity and weight of film equal 0.02 g. While the optimum conditions for TC removal are; 23.9 mg L−1 initial concentration of TC, with using 2 lamps and weight of film equal 0.017 g to achieve 73.1 removal %. For potential usage in wastewater treatment, the produced nanocomposite film appears to be promising. [Display omitted]