Leveraging rGO/g-C3N4 composite for enhanced rice plant (Oryza sativa) tolerance to lead phytotoxicity and photocatalytic dye degradation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Heavy metal contamination, particularly lead (Pb), poses an escalating risk to agricultural sustainability. Fertiliser is expected to improve nutrient use while preventing heavy metal contamination. Nanomaterials have shown remarkable potential in mitigating heavy metal stress in plants. The rGO/g-C 3 N 4 composite was synthesized to mitigate Pb toxicity in rice cultivation and then used as a photocatalyst in the degradation of organic dyes such as methylene blue (MB) to better use materials when they are released in nature. Bulk g-C 3 N 4 formed via urea pyrolysis was integrated with rGO synthesized via a modified Hummers method. The characterization using XRD, Raman, FTIR, SEM, UV-Vis DRS, and PL confirmed rGO incorporation, thus supporting its use to improve the plant phytotoxicity and photocatalytic activity. Hydroponic rice studies indicated reduced Pb uptake, diminished oxidative stress, and elevated Chlorophyll, resulting in increased biomass. to the Pb‐only group. The addition of composite helps to alleviate the effects of Pb exposure, proven by the improvement in root and leaf length up to 15–20% and decreasing MDA level from 0.64 to 0.48 μM/mg protein compared the plant without composite. Under visible light, rGO/g-C 3 N 4 showed higher MB degradation (68%) than g-C 3 N 4 alone (50%). The kinetic studies of MB photodegradation followed the pseudo-first-order Lagergren model with a kinetic constant of 0.3023 g mg −1 min −1 . Thus, rGO/g-C 3 N 4 is a promising material for sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation, offering versatile and beneficial outcomes.
Source: Results in Engineering
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
OpenAlex ID: W4411403948