USING WASTE FROM PET TO PRODUCE GRAPHENE-BASED ADSORBENT USED FOR DYES REMOVAL FROM AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most commonly used thermoplastic polymer around the world. This study aims to create a graphene-based adsorbent from PET waste bottles (PET flakes) and test its effectiveness in removing methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. To produce the adsorbent, the carbonization process of PET flakes was carried out in a closed reaction vessel. The properties of both PET flakes and the synthesized adsorbent were assessed using various techniques including FT-IR, TGA, SEM, EDX, and XRD. Two isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich) and two kinetic models (pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order) were used to describe the sorption isotherm and kinetics study. The results showed that the graphene-based adsorbent was effective in removing MB from water. To further increase its efficiency, it would be appropriate to functionalize its surface or adjust the preparation procedure.