Hydroxyapatite-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

This study presents an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) from quail eggshell waste, further functionalized with graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles, for the treatment of industrial wastewater. Quail eggshells, rich in calcium carbonate, serve as a sustainable calcium source for hydroxyapatite production via a wet chemical precipitation method. The synthesized HAp was subsequently combined with GO to enhance its surface area, adsorption capacity, and reactivity toward pollutants. The composite material (HAp/GO) was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to evaluate its morphology, functional groups, and crystalline structure, respectively. SEM images revealed a porous structure with uniform dispersion of GO sheets on the HAp surface. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of characteristic phosphate, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups, indicating successful synthesis and functionalization. XRD analysis showed well-defined peaks corresponding to the crystalline phases of hydroxyapatite and GO. The HAp/GO composite demonstrated effective adsorption and removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants from industrial wastewater samples, highlighting its potential as a novel, sustainable adsorbent material for environmental remediation applications.