Investigating charge carrier dynamics of improved photocatalytic performance of green synthesized rGO for water remediation from textile water in visible light irradiation

The environmentally sustainable reduction of graphene oxide (GO) can be accomplished with Aegle marmelos (Indian Bael) leaf extract, which is abundant in antioxidants including polyphenols, coumarins, tannins, flavonoids, vitamins, amino acids, and several other phytochemicals. These bioactive chemicals promote the bioreduction of graphene oxide (GO). The produced graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were evaluated using FTIR, UV–vis, Raman spectroscopy SEM and TEM which confirmed the effective reduction and the elimination of oxygen-containing functional groups from GO, resulting in rGO. Green synthesis method with extracts of plants method offers a viable and economical option for the synthesis of commercial rGO as well is sustainable and non toxic for environment as compared to other chemical reducing agents like sodium borohydride and hydrazine hydrate. Plants can be repeatedly cultivated, grown sustainably abundantly whereas chemicals manufacturing requires intensive labour, energy cost as well as large investment. We examined the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) in sunlight utilizing both graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Industrial effluent from the dye, textile, and pharmaceutical industries frequently harbors hazardous substances that pollute water bodies, endangering aquatic organisms, humans, and animals. The optimized weight ratio of GO and rGO with MB demonstrated the maximum degradation efficiency, attaining degradation rates of approximately 93 % for GO and 89 % for rGO within 60 min. In this way, we have successfully demonstrated the green synthesis of reduced graphene. Consequently, GO and rGO provide a highly efficient and cost-effective alternative for the photocatalytic elimination of detrimental dyes in industrial wastewater treatment under visible light. • An ecofriendly way is used to reduce graphene oxide (GO) has been investigated. • Extract of Agele marmelos leaves has been used as a reducing agent to reduce GO. • The proposed mechanism of degradation of Methylene Blue was studied. • Photocatalytic investigations showed GO remarkable degradation efficiency over rGO. • The scavenger test showed that the highest degradation efficiency is for sodium oxalate.