Fabrication and characterization of a water purification system using activated carbon and graphene nanoplatelets: Toward the development of a nanofiltration matrix

Abstract

Researchers are trying to tackle water scarcity in numerous ways. One of those ways is the use of nanotechnology in water processing and purification. The current work involves the fabrication and optimization of activated carbon and graphene-based hybrid water purification system. Five different concentrations of methylene blue and deionized water (DI) dye solutions were used, and they were filtered in three different cycles. For the potential usage on the consumer side, a small-scale, low-cost water filter is developed using activated carbon, commercial filter paper, and graphene nanoplatelets. The filter paper is used to hold mixtures of the activated carbon and graphene nanoplatelets within the water filter. The conductivity, TDS, and pH are measured for the feed water and the processed water using an Oakton EcoTestr and Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Pocket pH meter, respectively. A UV-Vis spectrometer is used to measure the absorption of solutions. The distribution and adsorption of the dye particles were observed by scanning electron microscopy. © 2021 Water Environment Federation • Practitioner points• These results show the effectiveness of the system in the removal of dye particles above a given particle size. • The concentration of the dye solution decreased after every cycle.• The GnPs filtration system more effectively dye particles as compared to the filtration system containing only Activated carbon. • UV-Vis spectroscopy results showed that the methylene blue dye particles decreased after every cycle. • This research can open a broad area of projects toward waste/wastewater practice for particles above a certain particle size.