A novel approach for recycling agricultural wastes in the synthesis of nanomaterials and their composites

Abstract

In this study, main focus has been drawn on the utilization of agricultural waste sources to synthesize nanomaterials. Graphene oxide and nanocellulose were prepared using rice husk ash and sugarcane bagasse, respectively. Further, their nanocomposites were also prepared in (1:1) ratio of graphene oxide and nanocellulose. The synthesized nanomaterials from agricultural waste were compared with those prepared from conventional sources through varied characterizations. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis was performed to examine the structural, functional and surface properties of the prepared nanomaterials from different precursors. High resolution imaging revealed better structural characteristics of the nanomaterials fabricated from agri-waste precursors. SEM images showed well exfoliated structure of GO and porous nature of NC. The folded layers of GO represent the presence of hydroxyl groups in the TEM images of GO @ graphite powder. TEM images of nanocellulose showed circular shaped nanoparticles of NC @ cellulose powder. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of all the essential functional groups in the structure of prepared nanomaterials. The nanocomposites prepared using agricultural waste sources and conventional sources were inspected by N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, which demonstrated that the nanocomposites prepared from agri-waste sources exhibits much higher specific surface area than that of prepared from conventional precursors. R2 possess specific surface area of 82.832 m2 g−1 while, R1 possess only 6.721 m2 g−1. N2 adsorption-desorption analysis revealed the pore volume, pore diameter, micropore volume, micropore area and surface area of the prepared nanocomposites. The nanomaterials prepared using agricultural waste products shows desirable characteristics in all aspects which makes them equally applicable in energy storage devices, food packaging, drug delivery systems, nanosensors and water filtration systems.