Efficient Removal of Cd (II) from Aquatic Media by Heteronanostructure MgO@TiO2@g-C3N4

Abstract

MgO@TiO2@g-C3N4 heteronanostructure was synthesized using a simple ultrasonication technique and assessed potentially to remove Cd (II) from aqueous environments. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms composite formation with mean crystallite size in the range of 4-17 nm while transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals nanosheet-like nanoparticles with the homogeneous elemental distribution. N2 adsorption-desorption measurements indicate the formation of a mesoporous structure with a BET surface area of about 107 m2/g. Fourier-transformed infrared elucidates the presence of O–H, amino groups, triazine, Mg–O, and Ti–O vibrations modes. At the same time, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis manifests the presence of Mg, O, N, Ti, and C elements. For aqueous Cd (II) ions, the MgO@TiO2@g-C3N4 nanostructure displays a superior adsorption efficiency, reaching 99.94% Cd (II) elimination with an optimum adsorption capacity of 515.86 mg/g in a short duration of 16 min. This study demonstrates the capability of using the MgO@TiO2@g-C3N4 nanostructure as an efficient and reusable adsorbent for the uptake of Cd (II) ions in wastewater treatment and potentially for the removal of other heavy metal ions.