Abstract
A new class of polyethylene glycol/graphene/carbon nanotube (PEG/G/CNTa-e) composites were prepared using a simple dissolution process, with ultrasonic assistance. Mixed G/CNT, with variable loadings, have been utilized as reinforcements for a PEG polymer matrix, to produce a new class of nanocomposite materials. The PEG/G/CNT composite was characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), to identify various bonds and to confirm the structure of the materials. To understand the potentiality of the material, the selectivity of PEG/G/CNT towards different metal ions, including Au(III), Y(III), Pb(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), and Co(II), was evaluated. The selectivity of the PEG/G/CNT e-phase was strongest towards Au(III). PEG/G/CNT was utilized as a particle extractor for Au(III) discovery in watery media. The static adsorption limit of PEG/G/CNT for Au(III) was determined to be 80.80 mg/g. The results of the adsorption isothermal assay additionally affirmed the legitimacy of the Langmuir isotherm model for the adsorption procedure. In addition, the productivity of recently incorporated materials was examined for the specific extraction of Au(III), using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). This PEG/G/CNTa-e material can be used for the extraction of gold from the abundantly minerals.