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T. S. Kuznetsova, A. N. Timirgaliev, A. E. Burakov, I. V. Burakova*, O. A. Ananyeva, T. P. Dyachkova, A. G. Tkachev

Author affiliations
Tambov State Technical University, Tambov, Russian Federation
*Corresponding author: iris_tamb68@mail.ru

Abstract
A new method for the production of activated bio-nanocomposites by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of renewable plant raw materials (rapeseed meal) with the addition of graphene oxide (GO), followed by freeze-drying treatment to compact and preserve the porous space was developed. To assess changes in the morphology, chemical and phase composition of the material during carbonization/activation, the methods of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy were used. It has been established that the nanocomposite is represented by closed fragments of fullerene- and graphene-like particles of irregular shape containing single inclusions of a linear lamellar structure. The I_D/I_G ratio, determined from the Raman spectra, is significantly higher than 1, which indicates a high content of _sp3-hybridized carbon atoms in the nanocomposite. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the final sample contains reflections (0 0 2) and (1 0 0) of graphite, which is typical for carbon porous materials with graphene fragments. For the nanocomposite, the static adsorption capacity for various types of pollutants was determined: lead ions – 205 mg/g, molecules of organic dyes – malachite green –1850.2 mg/g and Congo red – 620.4 mg/g.

Keywords: hydrothermal carbonization, graphene oxide, alkaline activation, rapeseed meal, adsorption, lead, synthetic dye, malachite green, Congo red