Highly stable binder free CNTs/rGO aerogel electrode for decolouration of methylene blue & palm oil mill effluent via electro-Fenton oxidation process

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 9; no. 29; pp. 16472 - 16478
• Main Authors: Nazhif Mohd Nohan, Muhammad Amirul, Chia, Chin Hua, Hashimi, Aina Shasha, Chin, Siew Xian, Khiew, Poi Sim, Zakaria, Sarani, Azmi, Azima, Lau, Kam Sheng, Razali, Nur Fazlinda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 28.05.2019; The Royal Society of Chemistry
• Subjects: Aerogels; Carbon; Cathodes; Chemical oxygen demand; Chemistry; Decoloring; Effluents; Electrodes; Graphene; Methylene blue; Organic carbon; Organic chemistry; Oxidation; Palm oil; Porosity; Single wall carbon nanotubes; Stability
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ra02364j

In this study, single wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/reduced graphene oxides (rGO) aerogels were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal process without using a binder. The produced CNTs/rGO aerogel was used as cathode in electro-Fenton system for the decolouration of methylene blue (MB) and palm oil mill effluent (POME). The addition of CNTs increased the surface area, pore volume and conductivity of the rGO aerogel, which further enhanced their performance as cathode towards the decolouration of MB and POME electro-Fenton reaction. Complete decolouration of MB using rGO aerogel without CNTs could not be achieved. The effect of electro-Fenton reaction parameters conducted using the aerogel samples including, current, electrolyte concentrations and pH, were investigated accordingly. The CNTs/rGO aerogel electrode also showed high stability and reusability for up to six consecutive treatment cycles for MB. Besides, the CNTs/rGO aerogel also showed good performance in treating POME with 69.8%, 47.6% and 58.1% of reduction in true colour, total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively, 60 minutes electro-Fenton reaction. This study showed that CNTs/rGO aerogels with high porosity and stability can be prepared using simple procedure without adding binder. This fully carbon-based aerogel can serve as effective cathode for decolouration of organic dye and effluent.