Coal Fly Ash Decorated with Graphene Oxide-Tungsten Oxide Nanocomposite for Rapid Removal of Pb Ions and Reuse of Spent Adsorbent for Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen.

Coal fly ash was decorated with a graphene oxide-tungsten oxide nanorods nanocomposite (CFA/GO/WONRs nanocomposite) via a hydrothermal method and applied for the remediation of lead (Pb ions). The Pb ion-loaded spent adsorbent (CFA/GO/WONRs + Pb nanocomposite) was reused for the photodegradation of acetaminophen. CFA/GO/WONRs + Pb nanocomposite displayed rapid removal of Pb ions. Pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model described the adsorption data. The adsorption capacity of the CFA/GO/WONRs nanocomposite was 41.51 mg/g for the removal of Pb ions. Additionally, the Pb ion-loaded spent adsorbent significantly influenced the degradation of acetaminophen by photocatalysis where 93% degradation was observed. It is worthy to note the reuse application of Pb ion-loaded spent adsorbent as a photocatalyst, which will significantly reduce the secondary waste obtained from conventional adsorption methods.