Green Synthesis of Fe/Graphene Nanocomposite Using Cleistocalyx operculatus Leaf Extract as a Reducing Agent: Removal of Pollutants (RhB Dye and Cr6+ Ions) in Aqueous Media

Abstract Industrial wastewater contains many compounds that pollute the environment, which have a strong impact on humans and the ecosystem. Zero‐valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) are materials with the potential to treat many wastes released into the aquatic environment. nZVI was synthesized via a green method using Cleistocalyx operculatus (CO) leaf extract as a reducing agent. Among them, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were used as support materials to enhance the reduction capacity and stability of nZVI. The morphology, structure, and crystallinity of the nZVI@GNPs nanocomposite were demonstrated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Zero‐valent iron nanoparticles following an optimized process for spherical particles with particle sizes ranging from 30–100 nm, uniformly distributed on the surface of GNPs. The removal performance of RhB and Chromium (VI) ions by the nZVI@GNPs composite was evaluated through Ultraviolet‐Visible Spectroscopy (UV‐Vis). The results show that nZVI/GNPs can remove RhB and Cr 6+ more than 98 % after 30 minutes of treatment. The affecting factors on the treatment process, such as pH, reaction time, and amount of material, were also studied.