Photocatalytic Efficiency and Environmental Safety Assessment of Graphene Oxide for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) has emerged as a promising nanomaterial for sustainable wastewater treatment because of its unique physicochemical properties and photocatalytic activity. In the present study, graphene oxide was synthesized using the modified Hummers' method and characterized by UV--Visible Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), confirming the successful formation of graphene oxide with characteristic structural and functional properties. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized material was evaluated using crystal violet dye under natural sunlight, achieving gradual degradation within 45 minutes, demonstrating its potential for efficient pollutant removal. To assess the environmental safety of the treated wastewater, phytotoxicity studies were conducted using \textit{Vigna radiata}, which showed 99\% seed germination along with improved root and shoot growth compared with untreated samples. Cytotoxicity evaluation using the \textit{Allium cepa} root tip assay revealed 95.8\% similarity with the control, indicating negligible toxic effects after treatment. The combined results demonstrate that graphene oxide not only effectively degrades dye pollutants but also produces treated water that is environmentally compatible and biologically safe. This integrated assessment of material characterization, photocatalytic efficiency, phytotoxicity, and cytotoxicity provides comprehensive evidence supporting the application of graphene oxide as an eco-friendly and sustainable nanomaterial for wastewater treatment.
Authors: Panchal, Sonal, MAHLA, PRITIBEN
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214606825