Novel layered GO/Mg(OH)2 nanocomposites for detection of Cd and Pb ions

Abstract Here we report the efficacy of the photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy for novel detection of as low as 0.0001 to as high as 0.01 ppm of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions in simulated wastewater solution. The solution comprises of 20 mg of layered graphene oxide (GO)-Mg(OH)2 nanocomposite (LGOMHNC) powders in 100 ml of DI water. The LGOMHNC powders, synthesized by facile wet chemical route, are characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, TGA-DTA, XPS and especially, the PL spectroscopy techniques. After adsorption of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions, the novel LGOMHNC powders exhibit significant enhancement of the corresponding PL intensities as compared to those of the as-synthesized LGOMHNC powders. These results suggest that PL spectroscopy can indeed emerge as a very important tool for detection of even 0.0001 ppm of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions in simulated wastewater. In addition, the novel LGOMHNC powders developed in the present work can have huge application potential in futuristic, optical sensor-based detection of the toxic, heavy metal ions like Cd2+ and Pb2+.