Sustainable and Optimized Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Method for Production of Dual-adsorptive Reduced Graphene Nanomaterials for Wastewater Remediation

Sustainable and Optimized Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Method for Production of Dual-adsorptive Reduced Graphene Nanomaterials for Wastewater Remediation | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Sustainable and Optimized Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Method for Production of Dual-adsorptive Reduced Graphene Nanomaterials for Wastewater Remediation Mohamed EL-Shendidy, Doaa EL-Mekkawi, Hoda Hafez This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6627454/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract In this study, a facile, low cost and eco-friendly microwave-assisted hydrothermal method has been used and optimized for large-scale production of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets. Different rGO samples have been prepared by the modified Hummers method, followed by microwave-assisted reduction at different MW temperatures of 190, 200, 210, 250°C for 3, 10, 15, 17, 20 and 25 min irradiation time. The morphological, crystallographic and structural analyses of the different produced rGO samples have been investigated using surface area S BET , TEM and XRD techniques. The HRTEM images confirm the formation of rGO nanosheets with few lots of wrinkles. The XRD confirmed the complete transformation of GO into rGO after only 15min of microwave irradiation. The surface area analyses showed a remarkable increase in the S BET and the total pore volume by reduction of GO into rGO (from 0.7 to 26.3 m 2 .g -1 and from 0.012 to 0.17 cm 2 .g -1 ). The produced rGO samples have been tested for dual adsorptive removal of Fe 3+ metal ions and methylene blue (MB) dye pollutant. A high adsorptive removal efficiency of 95.5% and 99.5% for Fe 3+ and MB has been achieved using rGO-17 min, 200°C optimum sample. The Langmuir isotherm model highlighted adsorption capacities (qm values of 126.1 mg.g -1 for Fe 3+ and 27.24 mg.g -1 for MB), confirming the effectiveness of the optimized rGO sample. Additionally, Form the practical point of view and for the first time, the optimized rGO sample has been tested on real wastewater sample. The removal efficiency of both Fe 3+ and dye content was approximately 57% after 8 hours and 49% after only 2 hours, respectively. This demonstrates an optimized low-cost and sustainable method for wastewater remediation. reduced graphene oxide microwave-assisted hydrothermal environmental remediation adsorption Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 16 Jun, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 26 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 26 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 21 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 May, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 21 May, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 16 May, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 15 May, 2025 First submitted to journal 09 May, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6627454","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":460103298,"identity":"3c4e9b43-09ea-4b52-8e98-95ea39c6432c","order_by":0,"name":"Mohamed EL-Shendidy","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Sadat City","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mohamed","middleName":"","lastName":"EL-Shendidy","suffix":""},{"id":460103299,"identity":"d05c82bc-e006-43ef-8b0f-72cfaf57f8eb","order_by":1,"name":"Doaa EL-Mekkawi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Research Centre","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Doaa","middleName":"","lastName":"EL-Mekkawi","suffix":""},{"id":460103300,"identity":"b8f8b8de-892d-482b-8200-1e0c6dcf51e0","order_by":2,"name":"Hoda Hafez","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"University of Sadat City","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hoda","middleName":"","lastName":"Hafez","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-05-09 09:53:24","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6627454/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6627454/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":83354360,"identity":"a2601fd1-ba6f-4ae2-a639-81009ac9e1f4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-23 14:52:13","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2180740,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript9520251Omar.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6627454/v1_covered_315b484e-58ab-469b-b9e3-12303c1618a2.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Sustainable and Optimized Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Method for Production of Dual-adsorptive Reduced Graphene Nanomaterials for Wastewater Remediation ","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-cluster-science","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":" Learn more about [Journal of Cluster Science](https://www.springer.com/journal/10876) ","snPcode":"10876","submissionUrl":"https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jocl","title":"Journal of Cluster Science","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"reduced graphene oxide, microwave-assisted hydrothermal, environmental remediation, adsorption","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6627454/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6627454/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eIn this study, a facile, low cost and eco-friendly microwave-assisted hydrothermal method has been used and optimized for large-scale production of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets. Different rGO samples have been prepared by the modified Hummers method, followed by microwave-assisted reduction at different MW temperatures of 190, 200, 210, 250\u0026deg;C for 3, 10, 15, 17, 20 and 25 min irradiation time. The morphological, crystallographic and structural analyses of the different produced rGO samples have been investigated using surface area S\u003csub\u003eBET\u003c/sub\u003e, TEM and XRD techniques. The HRTEM images confirm the formation of rGO nanosheets with few lots of wrinkles. The XRD confirmed the complete transformation of GO into rGO after only 15min of microwave irradiation. The surface area analyses showed a remarkable increase in the S\u003csub\u003eBET\u003c/sub\u003e and the total pore volume by reduction of GO into rGO (from 0.7 to 26.3 m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e.g\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e and from 0.012 to 0.17 cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e.g\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e). The produced rGO samples have been tested for dual adsorptive removal of Fe\u003csup\u003e3+\u003c/sup\u003e metal ions and methylene blue (MB) dye pollutant. A high adsorptive removal efficiency of 95.5% and 99.5% for Fe\u003csup\u003e3+\u003c/sup\u003e and MB has been achieved using rGO-17 min, 200\u0026deg;C optimum sample. The Langmuir isotherm model highlighted adsorption capacities (qm values of 126.1 mg.g\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e for Fe\u003csup\u003e3+\u003c/sup\u003e and 27.24 mg.g\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e for MB), confirming the effectiveness of the optimized rGO sample. Additionally, Form the practical point of view and for the first time, the optimized rGO sample has been tested on real wastewater sample. The removal efficiency of both Fe\u003csup\u003e3+\u003c/sup\u003e and dye content was approximately 57% after 8 hours and 49% after only 2 hours, respectively. This demonstrates an optimized low-cost and sustainable method for wastewater remediation.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Sustainable and Optimized Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Method for Production of Dual-adsorptive Reduced Graphene Nanomaterials for Wastewater Remediation","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-23 14:36:07","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6627454/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-06-16T16:14:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"172231257765957680090941556182016025547","date":"2025-05-26T23:44:22+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-26T18:33:07+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-21T21:58:43+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"28475427266925291003254765966583654579","date":"2025-05-21T20:02:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"317091160726063275360221641141247702830","date":"2025-05-21T15:29:04+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-05-21T14:58:22+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-05-16T09:25:28+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-05-15T13:43:46+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Journal of Cluster Science","date":"2025-05-09T09:48:21+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-cluster-science","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":" Learn more about [Journal of Cluster Science](https://www.springer.com/journal/10876) ","snPcode":"10876","submissionUrl":"https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jocl","title":"Journal of Cluster Science","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"f7b978bb-9286-4326-bd5e-d33234cd2ed4","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 23rd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-07-30T10:38:11+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-23 14:36:07","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6627454","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6627454","identity":"rs-6627454","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}