rGO Network Research Articles

Nanohybrids of B- and N-codoped reduced graphene oxide/CeO2–Co3O4 nanocomposite for efficient water oxidation

Transition metal oxides are well known as highly active and durable catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of CeO2 nanostructure in the water oxidation reaction, CeO2/Co3O4 and boron-nitrogen co-doped reduced graphene oxide incorporated (B,N-rGO) into CeO2/Co3O4 with a weight ratio of 3:1 of nanoparticles to graphene oxide were synthesized using co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods, respectively. The prepared materials were studied in detail regarding their crystal structure and morphological properties. The as-prepared materials were used as modified carbon paste electrodes for electrochemical water oxidation in an alkaline solution. The results showed that incorporating graphene oxide network into the nanoparticles structure enhances their OER performance. The material based on CeO2/Co3O4@B,N-rGO hybrid nanocomposite showed excellent OER activity with an overpotential of 410@10 mA cm−2, which is 240 and 140 mV less than that of the single CeO2 and CeO2/Co3O4 samples. Also, CeO2/Co3O4@B,N-rGO displayed the lowest Tafel slope and charge transfer resistance among the other catalysts. Moreover, the proposed catalyst displayed high stability and durability during OER. The enhanced OER performance of the CeO2/Co3O4@B,N-rGO is attributed to several catalytically active sites created by B and N doped rGO in the nanocomposite structure. The high performance of this catalyst results from the synergy of combining CeO2/Co3O4 nanoparticles with a three-dimensional co-doped rGO network.

A fresh perspective to synthesizing and designing carbon/sulfur composite cathodes using supercritical CO2 technology for advanced Li-S battery cathodes

The morphology and surface chemistry of the sulfur host within lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries significantly influence the overall battery performance. To investigate this relationship, we employed a non-toxic heat treatment to produce reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with varying degrees of reduction, resulting in distinct surface chemistries. The physicochemical characteristics and electrochemical properties of four differently reduced GO samples and rGO/sulfur composite cathodes developed with supercritical CO2 technology were examined. Our study established a clear correlation between the specific surface area and porosity of rGO and the electrochemical performance of the corresponding rGO/sulfur composite cathodes. Notably, rGO samples reduced at 350°C (rGO350) exhibited superior discharge capacity and long-term cycling stability compared to those reduced at higher temperatures. This performance enhancement can be attributed to the combination of high surface area, porosity, and an open morphology in rGO350. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing carbon chemistry, microstructure, and cathode synthesis strategies in Li-S batteries. By effectively controlling sulfur loading and distribution within the rGO network, we can enhance active material utilization, boost electronic conductivity, and ensure the long-term stability of rGO/sulfur composite cathodes. Our research suggests that SC-CO2-assisted synthesis offers a promising approach for designing high-performance carbon/sulfur composite cathodes for Li-S batteries. This method provides a versatile platform for tailoring the rGO morphology and surface chemistry, optimizing battery performance. By carefully considering the interplay between these factors, we can unlock the full potential of Li-S batteries for various applications.

Dual-function hollow MoS2 nanocages decorated on graphene sheets as efficient sulfur hosts for advanced lithium-sulfur batteries

Due to the presence of polysulfitabde shuttling, serious electrode expansion, and the low electrical conductivity of sulfur materials at room temperature, the commercialization of Li-S batteries is still not feasible. In this study, we have synthesized unique hollow molybdenum disulfide nanocages/reduced graphene oxide (H-MoS2/rGO) composites to be employed as highly effective cathodes for Li-S batteries. In this well-designed structure, the hollow MoS2 nanocages are tightly bound by C-O-Mo bonds and uniformly distributed across the graphene sheets. The dual-function MoS2 nanocages can adsorb polysulfides by Mo-S bond and accelerate the conversion reaction of S8 and Li2S. Moreover, the 3D rGO network with abundant pores effectively reduces the diffusion path and enhances the rapid transport of electrons and ions. The hybrid H-MoS2/rGO cathodes with these advantages exhibit a remarkable initial discharge capacity of 801.7 mAh g−1 at 1 C, as well as a high specific discharge capacity of 533.2 mAh g−1 is remained over 500 cycles.

Design and fabrication of NiCo2S4@rGO as an efficient Pt free triiodide reducing agent for dye-sensitized solar cell application

Exploiting efficient Pt-free counter-electrode materials with low cost and highly catalytic property is a hot topic in the field of Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Here, NiCo2S4/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was prepared via an economical hydrothermal ynthesis route, and the as-prepared composite exhibited comparable electrocatalytic property with the conventional Pt electrode as the counter-electrode. Enhanced optoelectronic, optical and structural characteristics have been attained over the constructed heterojunction. Band gap energy of NiCo2S4 (2.35 eV) was suppressed to 2.11 eV owing to its supporting with 10 wt.% rGO bringing about upgraded absorption of visible light. Electrochemical studies confirmed the synergetic effect of nickel and cobalt ions with the high electrical conductive rGO networks that enhance the electrocatalytic activity of NiCo2S4 nanostructures. The efficiency achieved for the NiCo2S4@rGO counter electrode (CE) based DSSC is 8.17%, which is remarkably higher than that of pristine NiCo2S4 (7.31%), and Pt (7.14%) under the same experimental conditions. In outline, given their innovative synthesis approach, affordability, and remarkable electrocatalytic attributes, the newly developed NiCo2S4@rGO counter electrodes stand out as potent contenders in future dye-sensitized solar cell applications.

Design and fabrication of porous three‐dimensional Ag-doped reduced graphene oxide (3D Ag@rGO) composite for interfacial solar desalination

Solar-driven interfacial desalination technology has shown great promise in tackling the urgent global water scarcity crisis due to its ability to localize heat and its high solar-to-thermal energy conversion efficiency. For the realization of sustainable saline water desalination, the exploration of novel photothermal materials with higher water vapor generation and photothermal conversion efficiency is indispensable. In the current study, a novel 3D interconnected monolithic Ag-doped rGO network was synthesized for efficient photothermal application. The Ultraviolet–Visible-Near Infrared (UV–Vis-NIR) and FTIR analyses demonstrated that the controlled hydrothermal reduction of GO enabled the restoration of the conjugated sp2 bonded carbon network and the subsequent electrical and thermal conductivity through a significant reduction of oxygen-containing functional groups while maintaining the hydrophilicity of the composite photothermal material. In the solar simulated interfacial desalination study conducted using 3.5 wt.% saline water, the average surface temperatures of the 3D material increased from 27.1 to 54.7 °C in an hour, achieving an average net dark-excluded evaporation rate of 1.40 kg m−2 h−1 and a photothermal conversion efficiency of ~ 97.54% under 1 sun solar irradiance. In the outdoor real-world application test carried out, the surface temperature of the 3D solar evaporator reached up to 60 °C and achieved a net water evaporation rate of 1.50 kg m−2 h−1 under actual solar irradiation. The 3D interwoven porous hierarchical evaporator displayed no salt precipitation over the 54-h period monitored, demonstrating the promising salt rejection and real-world application potential for efficient desalination of saline water.

Ti2NTx MXene/rGO nanocomposites: Optical tunning, functional bonding and electrochemical analysis for supercapacitor electrode application

Ti2NTx MXene/rGO nanocomposites were prepared via a two-step chemical etching and reduction method. TEM confirmed the stacked multilayer structure with an average interplanar spacing of 0.2 nm and the formation of Ti2NTx/rGO QDs of size from 0.14 to 0.33 nm. The absorption of Ti2NTx MXene/rGO composites decreased from 5.59 to 4.53 eV with increasing rGO concentration due to quantum confinement and microstructural rearrangement of Ti2NTx MXene within the rGO network. Cyclic voltammetry showed a specific capacitance (Cp) of 47.6–247F/g at 5 mV/s in −0.2–0.8 V. Galvanostatic charge–discharge resulted in Cp of 329.14–1203.86F/g at 1 A/g in 1 M H2SO4. The highest capacitive retention of 84.3 % was observed after 5000 cycles for Ti2NTx MXene. Electrochemical impedance spectra revealed that the charge transfer rate was maximum in (Ti2NTx)0.50/rGO0.50 due to the lowest RCT of 7.23 Ω. From the corrosion test, the Icorr ranged from 3.73 to 5.79 µA, and the Vcorr ranged from −0.008 to 0.26 V in the Ti2NTx MXene/rGO composites. Ti2NTx MXene/rGO composite showed remarkable electrochemical properties in acid electrolytes, such as high Cp and corrosion resistance, making them intriguing materials for supercapacitor electrode application.

Controlling the structural features of tin dioxide nanoparticles embedded reduced graphene oxide on carbon cloth to serve as high stability fast charging anode for Li-ion cells

Tin dioxide or stannic oxide (SnO2) is an n-type semiconductor that has profound applications in gas sensors, solar cells, and energy storage devices like Li-ion batteries. Due to their high theoretical capacity (1494 mAh g−1) affordability, eco-friendliness, and safe operating conditions, SnO2 based anode materials are being extensively studied. Electrochemical capacity and stability for energy storage can be enhanced by embedding facet exposed SnO2 nanoparticles in reduced graphene oxide (rGO). In this study, SnO2 nanoparticles are synthesized and incorporated into rGO network via a simple solvo-thermal method is applied onto a carbon cloth substrate and used as anode for SnO2/rGO based Li-ion cell. The initial discharge capacity is found to be 1415 mAh g−1 and the charge capacity to be 1236 mAh g−1 with an initial Coulombic efficiency of 87 % at a current rate of 0.1 A g−1. The cell also exhibits excellent cycling stability and rate capability, with a discharge capacity of 1034 mAh g−1 and a charge capacity of 998 mAh g−1 at a current rate of 0.3 A g−1. This electrode is stable at a higher current rate of 2C (3 A g−1) and hence offers high prospects as anode material for application in fast-charging rechargeable cells.

Reduced graphene oxide incorporated triple network hydrogels for enhancing solar desalination performance

Solar-driven hydrogel evaporator has attracted great attention in desalination recently. However, it remains a challenge to develop high performance hydrogel evaporators with outstanding mechanical property, high evaporation efficiency and excellent durability. In this study, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), sodium alginate (SA) and graphene oxide (GO) were employed for fabricating triple network hydrogels, which were used for solar desalination. The hydrogels were composed of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), SA and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) networks. The rGO network could well wrap on PHEMA and SA networks, forming an interpenetrated structure with good mechanical property. After being reduced of GO, the PHEMA/SA/rGO hydrogels showed excellent solar absorption and evaporation performance due to better photothermal effect of rGO than that of GO. Due to outstanding light absorption characteristic, the as-prepared hydrogels showed maximal energy efficiency of 95.59 % under one sun illumination. The hydrogel evaporator also exhibited excellent reusability for effective desalination. This stable performance may be attributed to its enough water molecules embedded in the crosslinked network, which prevented salt supersaturation. The outdoor solar desalination experiment suggested that concentration of four typical ions (Na+, Mg2+, K+, Ca2+) in purified water fully met drinking water standards. This work may provide a new idea for design and creation of hydrogel evaporator with high mechanical strength and solar energy conversion efficiency for solar steam generation.

Bidirectional enhancement of Li2S redox reaction by NiSe2/CoSe2-rGO heterostructured bi-functional catalysts

The high activity barriers of Li2S nucleation and deposition limit the redox reaction kinetics of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), meanwhile, the significant shuttle effect of LiPSs hampers the advancement of Li-S batteries (LSBs). In this work, a NiSe2/CoSe2-rGO (NiSe2/CoSe2-G) sulfur host with bifunctional catalytic activity was prepared through a hard template method. Electrochemical experiment results confirm that the combination of NiSe2 and CoSe2 not only facilitates the bidirectional catalytic function during charge and discharge processes, but also increases the active sites toward LiPSs adsorption. Simultaneously, the highly conductive rGO network enhances the electronic conductivity of NiSe2/CoSe2-G/S and provides convenience for loading NiSe2/CoSe2 catalysts. Benefitting from the exceptional catalytic-adsorption capability of NiSe2/CoSe2 and the presence of rGO, the NiSe2/CoSe2-G/S electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical properties. At 1C, it demonstrates a low capacity attenuation of 0.087 % per cycle during 500 cycles. The electrode can maintain a discharge capacity of 927 mAh/g at a sulfur loading of 3.3 mg cm−2. The bidirectional catalytic activity of NiSe2/CoSe2-G offers a prospective approach to expedite the redox reactions of active S, meanwhile, this work also offers an ideal approach for designing efficient S hosts for LSBs.

Mechanical and Electrical Properties of 3D‐Printed Highly Conductive Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polylactic Acid Composite

A conductive network of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) overlaying on a lightweight polymeric scaffold can offer notable electrical properties while maintaining the same mechanical properties as a similar feature without rGO layer. However, conventional methods are unable to produce customized architecture with controllable electronic and mechanical properties. Herein, a simple methodology for preparing objects of complex geometries by 3D printing that possesses the capability to exhibit a diverse spectrum of conductivity levels depending upon the dip‐coating process is reported. The versatile two‐step process is beneficial to create highly conductive objects as low as 100 Ω sq−1 and lightweight rGO networks. Alternative to inkjet printing and direct fluid dispensing methods, the fabrication method for 3D rGO networks provides the opportunity to combine material selection and advanced printing techniques, thus achieving desired performance criteria at a low cost. Simple fabrication techniques for robust 3D rGO networks hold promise for designing objects with unique properties, offering both high resistance to external mechanical force and uniform internal electronic properties.

Energy harvesting from water flow through porous reduced graphene oxide networks

AbstractUsing a syringe pump setup, the authors conducted water flow experiments through porous reduced graphene oxide (rGO). A variety of anions and cations were added to the water to study its effect on energy harvesting. More specifically, the authors performed tests to study effect of: (1) ion concentration in water, (2) type of anion used, (3) type of cation used, and (4) effect of flow rate. The test data indicates that water flow through rGO networks can directly induce drift of charge carriers in graphene and thus generate electricity. Graphene is ideally suited for this application, since it possesses high mobility charge carriers that are ready to be coupled to moving ions present in the flowing fluid. The proposed rGO material could enable harvesting of the ubiquitous, abundant, and renewable mechanical energy of moving water directly to electrical energy. Unlike traditional schemes, the graphene material directly converts the flow energy into electrical energy without the need for moving parts. Such graphene coatings could potentially replace conventional batteries (which are environmentally hazardous) in low‐power, low‐voltage, and long service‐life applications. Once scaled up, this concept offers a potentially transformative approach to energy harvesting, as opposed to incremental advances in current technologies.

Donor–π–acceptor heterojunctions constructed from the rGO network and redox-active covalent organic frameworks for high-performance supercapacitors

The orderly assembled Ni-bis(dithiolene) units with unique electronic structure, heterostructure formed between COFs and rGO, and efficient electron transfer contribute to the outstanding supercapacitor performance.

In situ biosynthesized polyphosphate nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide composite electrode for highly sensitive detection of heavy metal ions

The development of an effective sensing platform is critical for the electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions (HMIs) in water. In this study, we fabricated a newly designed sensor through the in situ assembly of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and polyphosphate nanoparticles (polyP NPs) on a carbon cloth electrode via microorganism-mediated green biochemical processes. The characterization results revealed that the rGO produced via microbial reduction had a three-dimensional porous structure, serving as an exceptional scaffold for hosting polyP NPs, and the polyP NPs were evenly distributed on the rGO network. In terms of detecting HMIs, the numerous functional groups of polyP NPs play a major role in the coordination with the cations. This electrochemical sensor, based on polyP NPs/rGO, enabled the individual and simultaneous determination of lead ion (Pb2+) and copper ion (Cu2+) with detection limits of 1.6 nM and 0.9 nM, respectively. Additionally, the electrode exhibited outstanding selectivity for the target analytes in the presence of multiple interfering metal ions. The fabricated sensor was successfully used to determine Pb2+/Cu2+ in water samples with satisfactory recovery rates ranging from 92.16% to 104.89%. This study establishes a facile, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly microbial approach for the synthesis of electrode materials and the detection of environmental pollutants.

Sb2S3 nanorods encapsulated reduced graphene oxide as an anode material for Na/K-ion batteries

Sodium/Potassium-ion batteries (SIBs & PIBs) have received much attention as like lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In order to commercialize Na/K-ion systems, the developed electrode material must deliver high energy and power density on par with LIBs. Recently, Antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) has drawn widespread attention as a promising anode material for SIBs/PIBs. In this work, Sb2S3 nanorods are selectively encapsulated in rGO network which is synthesized through hydrothermal method and it has been employed as an anode material for SIBs/PIBs. Various structural and electrochemical characterizations are carried out to confirm the structural and electrochemical features of the Sb2S3@rGO composite. FESEM and HRTEM studies confirm that Sb2S3 are crystallized into nanorods in the form of slate pencil-like morphology and reside on the surface of rGO. The Sb2S3 nanorods attached on the surface of rGO through strong C-S bond which effectively inhibit the polysulfide formation during cycling. Such nanoarchitecture not only buffers the volume expansion of Sb2S3 nanorods but enhance the electrochemical kinetics of nanorods during cycling of Na/K-ion batteries. As a result, the composite exhibits superior electrochemical performance in terms of specific capacity, cycling stability and outstanding rate capability for both Na/K-ion batteries. Furthermore, surface enhanced pseudocapacitive ion storage mechanism also contributes to the improvement in specific capacity and cycling stability of Sb2S3@rGO electrode for SIBs. This work opens the door to design the advanced electrode material for SIBs/PIBs.

SnS@Co1-xS nanocubes anchored in reduced graphene oxide sheets for sodium-ion batteries with enhanced rate performance

Metal sulfide has recently emerged as an attractive anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) with large layer spacing and desirable electrochemical reversibility, but its low-rate performance and severe volume expansion during cycling immensely hinder further application. In this work, SnS@Co1-xS nanocubes are uniformly anchored in the conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) network through a straightforward coprecipitation and vulcanization process. The obtained SnS@Co1-xS-rGO composite with tunable morphologies can achieve the high dispersion of nanoparticles and enhanced charge transfer kinetics simultaneously. Consequently, this SnS@Co1-xS-rGO electrode possesses an impressive cycling performance of 571.23 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g after 80 cycles and sustains a high-rate capacity of 352.92 mAh/g at a high current density of 10 A/g, which is far outperforming reported tin/cobalt sulfides. It can be demonstrated that rGO plays an important role in the capacity stability of bimetallic sulfides.

Optimal design and fabrication of stable ordered porous conductive structure for flexible strain sensors with high sensitivity and linearity

The increasing utilization of wearable electronics in human-computer interaction and medical health urges the rapid development of flexible strain sensors. However, it is still a challenge to fabricate flexible strain sensors with high sensitivity, linearity, and stability. Herein, we presented a freezing/magnetic orientation approach to construct dual-ordered porous conductive networks based on the reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Fe nanowire (NW)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to optimize the sensing performance of the flexible strain sensors. Owing to the stable and ordered porous conductive network constructed by ice template-assisted rGO and magnetic field-induced Fe NW, the sensing performances of rGO/Fe NW/CMC ordered network composite were significantly improved. The prepared rGO/Fe NW/CMC strain sensor demonstrated a high gauge factor of 112.44, which was 426.90 % and 108.06 % higher than the samples with only ordered Fe NW network and only ordered rGO network, respectively. Meanwhile, the rGO/Fe NW/CMC strain sensor presented a linearity of 0.99 and a stability over 3000 dynamic stretching cycles, which was better than the sample without Fe NW and ordered rGO network. Owing to the excellent sensing performance, the rGO/Fe NW/CMC strain sensors were successfully used to monitor the human gestures, indicating the potential as practical wearable devices for real-time motion detection in human-computer interaction and medical health.

3D reduced graphene oxide wrapped MoS2@Sb2S3 heterostructures for high performance sodium-ion batteries

Metal sulfides have been widely used as the anode materials of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity. However, their inherent low conductivity and irreversible volume expansion limit their electrochemical performance and application. To solve these problems, the MoS2@Sb2S3 heterostructure composites wrapped by 3D interconnected reduce graphene oxide (rGO) are prepared. The MoS2@Sb2S3 heterostructure accelerates the transfer of ions and electrons, and provides rich active sites, which facilitates electrolyte penetration and improves the interfacial reaction kinetics. Wrap 3D interconnected rGO networks around the porous MoS2@Sb2S3 composites to reduce the volume expansion of composite materials in the process of sodiumization and desodiumization, and ensure the structural stability. The theoretical calculation further supports the experimental results that the MoS2@Sb2S3/rGO heterojunction promotes the redistribution of different charge density and optimizes the adsorption energy of the composite for Na+, thus accelerating the electrochemical reaction kinetics. The MoS2@Sb2S3/rGO composite as the anode materials of SIBs can achieve a discharge specific capacity of 591.6 mAh g−1 at the second cycle with current density of 5 A g−1, and 162.1 mAh g−1 after 1100 cycles. High-rate capacities are achieved for SIBs (350.4 mAh g−1 @ 1 A g−1, 260.1 mAh g−1 @ 5 A g−1). This work provides a practical method for preparing anode materials of SIBs with excellent electrochemical performance.

MoS2-decorated carbonized melamine foam/reduced graphene oxide network for constructing polyethylene-glycol-based multifunctional phase change materials toward multiple energy harvesting and microwave absorbing applications

The limited functions of traditional phase change materials (PCMs), such as thermal energy storage and temperature regulation, cannot fully satisfy the diversified requirements of various fields. Therefore, the development of multifunctional PCMs (MPCMs) is gradually gaining significant research attention. Herein, a functional MoS2-decorated carbonized melamine foam (CMF)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) network (CMF/rGO/MoS2) is designed for developing MPCMs, in which CMF acts as a template, while rGO and MoS2 serve as functional fillers. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is introduced into the network as a PCM using a vacuum‐assisted impregnation method. The obtained PEG@CMF/rGO/MoS2 composite has a high PEG content of 92.1 wt%, which contributes to its high melting and crystallization enthalpies of 169.3 and 165.9 J g−1, respectively. Simultaneously, the hybrid of rGO and MoS2 possesses good photon harvesting ability and electrically conductive properties, and endows the composite with light-to-thermal and electric-to-thermal energy conversion functions. Moreover, the synergistic effect of the three-dimensional porous structure and high dielectric loss capability of CMF/rGO/MoS2 render the composite a microwave absorbing material. As a result, the minimum reflection loss and maximum efficient bandwidth of PEG@CMF/rGO/MoS2 are −32.49 dB and 6.16 GHz at a thicknesses of 2.1 and 2.4 mm, respectively. Hence, our study provides an efficient strategy for developing MPCMs adaptable to different application requirements.

Enhanced rate capability of S@Co3O4 microsphere wrapped by rGO for cathodes of lithium-sulfur batteries

S@Co3O4/rGO (SCG) composite was synthesized via a readily solvothermal method and subsequent thermal treatment for cathodes of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, in which Co3O4 hollow microsphere used as a sulfur host has been initially wrapped by conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) network. Benefited from polar Co-S bond forming strong adsorption with polysulfides and hollow structure providing void spaces for volumetric expansion, Co3O4 additive effectively alleviates such issues as shuttle effect and electrode pulverization/failure. Moreover, rGO layer covering onto surface of Co3O4 microsphere further increases electrical conductivity and structural stability of electrode. As a result, SCG composite exhibits superior electrochemical performances with a high specific capacity of 1131.6 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, and an enhanced rate capability tolerating a high current density of up to 5 C. The design strategy on composition and structure of cathode in this work will provide a novel route for achieving high-energy Li-S batteries.

Lignin nanoparticles-reduced graphene oxide based hydrogel: A novel strategy for environmental applications

In this work, facile fabrication of lignin nanoparticles (LNP)-based three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide hydrogel (rGO@LNP) has been demonstrated as a novel strategy for environmental applications. Herein, LNP were facilely synthesized from walnut shell waste through a direct chemical route. These LNP were incorporated into the continuous porous network of rGO network to fabricate rGO@LNP hydrogel. Characterization studies were carried out using various analytical techniques viz. scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The efficiency of rGO@LNP hydrogel as adsorptive platform was evaluated by employing methylene blue and Pb2+ as model pollutants, whilst the effect of various experimental parameters was ascertained for optimal performance. Furthermore, Agar well diffusion method was used to check the antibacterial activities of the hydrogel using two bacterial pathogenic strains, i.e. Klebsiella pneumoniae (gram negative) and Enterococcus faecalis (gram positive). Results showed that after the inclusion of LNP into rGO hydrogel, there was a marked improvement in pollutant's uptake ability and compared to bare LNP and rGO, the composite hydrogel showed enhanced bactericidal effect. Overall, this approach is outstanding because of the synergy of functional properties of nano-lignin and rGO due to multi-interaction sites in the resulting hydrogel. The results presented herein support the application of rGO@LNP as innovative water filter material for scavenging broad spectrum pollutants and bactericidal properties.