Investigation on structural, spectral and morphological analysis of polymer funtionalized graphene oxide—metal oxide nanocomposites for removal of dyes from aqueous solution

In this present work Graphene oxide/Chitosan/MnO₂ nanocomposites are synthesized via chemical reduction method for various concentrations of Manganese oxide. The crystallite size is found to be around 19 nm and increases with the increase in the concentration of manganese oxide as investigated by x-ray diffraction analysis. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis shows the agglomerated spherical shaped MnO₂ nanopartices found over the crumbled wave like GO/CS sheets. The presence of functional groups in the synthesized nanocomposites is studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the most prominent band of Mn–O is observed around 513 cm⁻¹. The Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis (EDAX) confirms the elemental presence of the nanocomposites without any impurities. The adsorption properties of Graphene oxide/chitosan/MnO₂ towards the industrial dyes are investigated along with the measured effect of adsorption by initial concentration, contact time and pH values. The resulting adsorption isotherm is analyzed systematically. The prepared nanocomposites are found to be more efficient adsorbent for the removal of anionic industrial dyes such as methyl orange. (paper)