Synthesis of metal-based functional nanocomposite material and its application for the elimination of paracetamol from synthetic wastewater

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like paracetamol and other substances released into the water system pose serious environmental issues. The current work examines the synthesis of a nanocomposite combined with Moringa olifera aqueous leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the green synthesis of nanocomposites. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) were used to investigate metal based functional nanocomposites. The absorption band centered at a wavelength of 243 nm, which corresponds to the surface plasmon resonances of the produced nanocomposite, is confirmed in UV–vis spectra. The distinctive band at this particular wavelength is attributed to a particular group of nanocomposites based on the result from the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra. The spherical with irregularly shaped aggregates was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, and the average size of nanoparticles was found to be 1 nm. For the elimination of pharmaceutical contaminants such as paracetamol from aqueous solutions, the adsorptive characteristics of nanocomposites were examined. Temperature, pH, adsorbent dosage, and agitation speed were investigated as adsorption parameters using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The best removal outcomes were found under the following circumstances: temperature at 303.15 K, pH = 7.5, 0.05 g of nanocomposites at 200 rpm. Based on the adsorption study, the kinetics was found to be pseudo first order (R2 > 0.9481) which was validated and fitted by Langmuir isotherm (R2 > 0.9973). The adsorption study confirms that it was adsorbed onto the synthesized nanocomposite and found to be present on the homogeneous surface.