Silver-graphene oxide nanocomposite doping chitosan/PVA membrane for arsenic (III) elimination from aqueous solution

Heavy metals and pathogens from contaminated water sources may undoubtedly be removed by creating an efficient bio-adsorbent based on functional spots. Thus, the goal of this work was to produce chitosan (Ch)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) biofilm decorated with graphene oxide (GO) sheets doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The nanostructure of prepared GO/Ag nanosheets is examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The fabricated film (GO/Ag Ch-PVA) is compared by the control films (Ch, PVA and Ch-PVA). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and tensile strength are used to study the films’ structure. Also, the antimicrobial activity was assessed for the films. After doping the polymer matrix with GO/Ag, it was discovered that the tensile strength increased to about 46.18 MPa. Moreover, adsorption experiment for arsenic As (III) ions is explored by the prepared film at different operating conditions. The obtained results validated the enhanced adsorption ability of the GO/Ag Ch-PVA film towards As (III) with the highest adsorption capacity of 54.3 mg g⁻¹ obtained from the isotherm model of Langmuir. Moreover, kinetic mathematical models for the adsorption effectiveness of GO/Ag Ch-PVA film are assessed. The results gathered demonstrated that GO/Ag Ch-PVA film is a potentially useful material for eliminating As (III) and microbial strains from essential water resources.