Abstract:

In this study; firstly, graphene oxide (GO) support material was synthesized by the modified Hummers method and then reduced graphene oxide supported iron-cerium bimetallic nanoparticle (r-GO/Fe-CeNPs) composite material was prepared by co-precipitation method. Characterization of synthesized GO and composite material (r-GO/Fe-CeNPs) was performed by FT-IR, XRD, and SEM analyzes. The magnetic behavior of r-GO/Fe-CeNPs was determined by VSM analysis. According to GO’s FT-IR and XRD analysis results, GO-specific functional groups and characteristic peaks were obtained. From the SEM images, it was determined that GO has a layered and homogeneous surface. According to FT-IR spectrum of r-GO/Fe-CeNPs; characteristic bands of r-GO; CeO, and Fe nanoparticles were obtained; it was determined from the XRD spectrum that the structure showed amorphous properties. In the SEM images of r-GO/Fe-CeNPs obtained at different magnifications, it was observed that flower-like and agglomerated spherical nanoparticles dispersed on the reduced graphene oxide were formed. The average particle size of Fe-CeNPs was determined as 70.25 nm from the SEM images with the Image J program. According to the VSM analysis result of r-GO/Fe-CeNPs; the saturation magnetization (Ms) of the catalyst was determined as 40.13 A m2/kg. In the second part of the study, the usability of the synthesized composite material as a catalyst in the degradation of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) by heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction and the parameters affecting the Fenton-like reaction process, such as initial pH, initial p-NP concentration, catalyst concentration, H2O2 concentration, and the effect of temperature were investigated. Optimum environmental conditions were determined as the initial pH 3.0, the initial p-NP concentration 50 mg/L, the catalyst concentration 0.5 g/L, the H2O2 concentration 100 mM, and the temperature 65°C.

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