Coal Fly Ash Decorated with Graphene Oxide-Tungsten Oxide Nanocomposite for Rapid Removal of Pb2+ Ions and Reuse of Spent Adsorbent for Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen

Coal fly ash was decorated with a graphene oxide-tungsten oxide nanorods nanocomposite (CFA/GO/WO(3)NRs nanocomposite) via a hydrothermal method and applied for the remediation of lead (Pb2+ ions). The Pb2+ ion-loaded spent adsorbent (CFA/GO/WO(3)NRs + Pb2+ nanocomposite) was reused for the photodegradation of acetaminophen. CFA/GO/WO(3)NRs + Pb2+ nanocomposite displayed rapid removal of Pb2+ ions. Pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model described the adsorption data. The adsorption capacity of the CFA/GO/WO(3)NRs nanocomposite was 41.51 mg/g for the removal of Pb2+ ions. Additionally, the Pb2+ ion-loaded spent adsorbent significantly influenced the degradation of acetaminophen by photocatalysis where 93% degradation was observed. It is worthy to note the reuse application of Pb2+ ion-loaded spent adsorbent as a photocatalyst, which will significantly reduce the secondary waste obtained from conventional adsorption methods.

Automated summary

Coal fly ash was used to produce a nanocomposite for lead ion removal, and the spent adsorbent loaded with lead ions was reused for the photodegradation of acetaminophen with a high degradation efficiency of 93%. The reuse as a photocatalyst significantly reduces secondary waste from conventional adsorption methods.