Graphene Incorporated\nSugar Derived Carbon Aerogel\nfor Pyridine Adsorption and Oil–Water Separation

Herein, we have synthesized a three-dimensional and hydrophobic\ngraphene incorporated carbon aerogel (G-SCA) derived from sugar. G-SCA\nis being used as a multifunctional sorbent material for removing various\nadvanced water-soluble and insoluble pollutants. Initially, G-SCA\nis being explored for the adsorption of nitroarenes (nitrophenols,\n3-nitroaniline), an insecticide (Phoskill), an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin),\nand a pharmaceutical drug precursor (pyridine). Later, the same G-SCA\nis also explored in the absorption of various protic and aprotic organic\nsolvents, and oils (including crude oil, waste cooking oil, and waste\nengine oil), with excellent recyclability checked up to 10 cycles.\nMoreover, oil–water separation experiments are also being done\nin various industrial wastewater and seawater samples to support the\nreal-life accessibility of the present approach. Large-scale applicability\nof G-SCA is also checked by performing crude oil–seawater separation\nexperiments using a laboratory-scale prototype demonstrating the successful\ncontinuous recovery of crude oil.