Green approach for the synthesis of graphene glass hybrid as a reactive barrier for remediation of groundwater contaminated with lead and tetracycline

Abstract

In this work, Graphene Glass Hybrid (GGH) was fabricated through pyrolysis by adopting a green method in which the sustainable carbon source used was low-quality-dates and the supporting material was glass waste (GW). The GGH was identified as a cost-effective and functional reactive material, suitable for use in permeable barrier technology to remediate (Pb) lead-and (TC) tetracycline-contaminated groundwater, via batch and continuous experiments. The GGH prepared showed macroporous structures that resembled 2-D graphene sheets, stacked on the inorganic glass support, capable of eliminating the Pb and TC from the aqueous medium. The GGH composite thus prepared was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, electron diffraction measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and measurements of the surface area. From the results, the Langmuir model was proven to give a better fit than the Freundlich model, for the sorption data; from the perspective of kinetics, the pseudo-second-order model fitted the experimental data better than the pseudo-first-order model. In order to assess the performance of the GGH reactive medium, in continuous mode, a series of column experiments were performed. To simulate the conduction of Pb and TC through the GGH reactive medium in one-dimensional equilibrium transport, a numerical model solved using the COMSOL Multiphysics 3.5a software was advanced. From the findings, the GGH was proven to be effective, eco-friendly, and economically reactive in PRB, for the remediation of Pb- and TC-contaminated groundwater.