Architectonical Frameworks of Porous Graphene: A Potential Stratagem to Combat Nanocontamination in the Environment

Abstract Societal apprehensions about the environmental deterioration with the excessive usage of nanotechnology in high-end applications may thwart their commercialization. The unforeseen invasion of diverse range of nanoparticles to living systems have disturbed the cellular metabolism and lead to noxious impacts on flora and fauna. Thus, it is essential to develop safer means to use nanotechnology without affecting environment and living beings. The aim of the present work is to provide pre-contact treatment to avoid the release of nanoparticles in the environment. Attempts have been made to fabricate architectonical frameworks of porous graphene by using cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (2-10 nm in size) embedded graphene sheets. The crafted packets of graphene membranes were further used to restrict the release of nanoparticles into the surrounding environment. However, the entry of the solvents containing analyte was not restricted with these crafted graphene membranes. These innovative membranes have been found to be quite effective in effluent filters and/or can be used for treating polluted water bodies. The efficiency of the produced packets was adjudged on the basis of dye adsorption from the waste water over CeO2 nanoparticles without its dispersion in the water; hence, nano-contamination was avoided. The developed methodology in the current work has been considered as a successful attempt in the direction of sustainable nanotechnology.