Comparative and optimization studies of PE and PVP binder with different graphene electrodes for the reduction of hardness

Abstract An investigation was carried out in this work to assess the potential of graphene as an Electrode in the removal of hardness. The synthesis of graphene was obtained from pencil graphite by using the modified hummers method. Three sets of experimental studies were carried out to achieve the aim of this work. The first set of studies was carried out to assess the potential of Graphene Oxide (GO), Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO), and graphene as an electrode material to reduce the concentration of hardness. The second set of studies was carried out to investigate the efficiency of different proportions of Poly Ethylene (PE) and Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) binders to reduce the concentration of hardness. The last set of experimental studies was carried out to identify the parameters like Contact time, pH and initial concentration of hardness affecting the performance of the selected electrode material with the selected proportions of binder. The Graphene was found to have high removal efficiency of hardness due to its high specific surface area rather than GO and rGO. The PVP binder has high removal efficiency than PE binder. The maximum reduction of 87.75% hardness may be obtained when the contact time is kept as 30 min, pH in neutral condition and the electrolyte concentration as 400 mg/L.