Abstract

• In this research work, graphene oxide (GO) was prepared from graphite powder by Modified Hummer’s method. Layers of graphene oxide consist of various oxidizing groups like hydroxyl, epoxides, carbonyl and carboxyl at the basal planes as well as at the edges. Prepared GO were characterized by XRD, FT IR, UV-visible, SEM and EDX techniques. To investigate the colour removal property of GO, malachite green (MG) was used as model dye contaminant. Firstly, wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax) of malachite green was investigated at different dye concentrations in the wavelength range of 400-800 nm. Malachite green was found to have λmax of 617 nm. To investigate the optimum conditions for colour removal, effects of concentration, pH, contact time and dosage on removal of malachite green dye using prepared GO were carried out. The optimal conditions were found to be 10 ppm of MG concentration, pH 4, 60 min of contact time and 0.08 g of adsorbent dosage for colour removal of malachite green by using prepared GO.