Exploring graphene oxide and bacterial cellulose for Cr(VI) removal from water

Abstract In this study, nanocomposite membranes based on bacterial cellulose (BC) and graphene oxide (GO) were synthesized at different volume ratios of BC to GO. The mechanical properties of these membranes were investigated to determine the optimal combination ratio. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the membranes for Cr(VI) heavy metal ions was evaluated under various conditions, including time, temperature, pH, stirring rate, and adsorbent dosage. The mechanical strength analysis revealed that the membrane with a BC to GO volume ratio of 1:6 exhibited the highest tensile strength of 96.79 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the successful integration of nanocellulose fibers and graphene oxide in this ratio, forming a novel composite structure. Subsequent adsorption experiments demonstrated that the optimal conditions for Cr(VI) adsorption were as follows: 160 min of adsorption time, a temperature of 313 K, a stirring rate of 150 rpm, pH = 3, and an adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g. The maximum adsorption capacities of the BC/GO‐1, BC/GO‐2, BC/GO‐3, and BC/GO‐4 membranes were determined to be 17.36, 17.76, 18.69, and 17.06 mg g −1 , respectively. The adsorption process followed Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The study highlights the potential of BC/GO nanocomposite membranes for efficient adsorption of Cr(VI) heavy metal ions from water. The optimized conditions identified can serve as guidelines for practical applications of these membranes in water treatment processes. Additionally, the successful synthesis and characterization of the BC/GO membranes underscore their promising prospects for environmental remediation and sustainable materials development.