Simultaneous Dehalogenation and Removal of Persistent Halocarbon Pesticides from Water Using Graphene Nanocomposites: A Case Study of Lindane
2015
Sen Gupta, Soujit | Chakraborty, Indranath | Maliyekkal, Shihabudheen Mundampra | Adit Mark, Tuhina | Pandey, Dheeraj Kumar | Das, Sarit Kumar | Pradeep, T.
This paper describes an unusual chemical reaction that takes place on a graphene composite in a concerted fashion. The reaction shows the conversion of a persistent organochlorine pesticide, lindane (C₆H₆Cl₆), present in water, to different isomers of trichlorobenzenes (TCBs, C₆H₃Cl₃) on the surface of reduced graphene oxide–silver composites (RGO@Ag). The reaction is unique to the composite and does not occur on RGO and nanoparticles of Ag separately. The products of the reaction were isolated and extensively characterized using analytical techniques such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, infrared and NMR, which unequivocally confirmed their identity. The as-formed TCBs were removed from the aqueous medium by adsorption on the same composite. Adsorption of lindane is physical in nature, but that of TCBs is through π–π interactions. The study reveals the unusual chemical reactivity of graphene–metal composites and their potential for water treatment. The uniqueness of the reaction on RGO@Ag is due to the simultaneous removal of three HCl molecules, leading to the formation of aromatic compounds and concomitant formation of silver chloride. Recycling capacity and effect of diverse species present in natural waters were tested for potential applications in sustainable water treatment.
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