Synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic application of porous nanocomposites of (r)GO/TiO2 embedded HCP (hyper crosslinked polymer)

Nanocomposites (r)GO/TiO 2 /hyper crosslinked polymer (HCP) were prepared using ultrasonic-assisted method, and identified by (SEM), (EDS), (TEM), and (XRD) techniques. This study was performed to examine the effect of various operating parameters on photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh.B) over (r)GO/TiO 2 embedded HCP followed by an optimization study using response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design (BBD). The photocatalytic activity of rGO/TiO 2 /polycalix[4]resorcinarene ((r)GTP) was evaluated using the cationic dye Rhodamine B as a pollutant model under solar light (intensity = 850 W/m 2 ) between 10 and 12 am, June, Ahvaz, Iran. Response Surface Methodology was adopted for the optimization of degradation parameters viz pH, dye concentration , and nanocomposites dosage and contact time. The optimum values for the maximum Rhodamine B (Rh B) degradation of rGO/TiO 2 /polycalix (rGTP) and GTP were obtained, in which the degradation of rGTP was 100% and the degradation efficiency of GO/TiO 2 /polycalix (GTP) was 70%. ANOVA analysis results demonstrated that irradiation time and nanocomposite mass were the most significant parameters. It was found that rGO/TiO 2 /polycalix[4]resorcinarene (rGTP) nanocomposite displayed the best degradation yield for the dye. The results showed that the rGTP nanocomposite displayed good EIS and CV properties besides being eco-friendly and reusable. It could also show a high capacity for the elimination of the dye in the industrial wastewaters. Graphical Abstract