Synthesis of mesoporous recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/MWNT/carbon quantum dot nanocomposite from sustainable materials using ultrasonic waves: Application for methylene blue removal

Abstract

This study presents fabrication of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) reinforced with decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes by carbon quantum dots (MWNT/CQD)s. The resulting MWNT/CQDs and rPET/MWNT/CQD composites were characterized by various analyses. The sorption performances of the manufactured rPET/MWNT/CQD composite were assessed for the methylene blue dye removal. The obtained composite adsorbed 98% dye from water. The study of isotherm and kinetic models showed that Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models gave the better fitting. Extracted parameters form isotherm models exhibited favorable adsorption on rPET/MWNT/CQD composite. Furthermore, the reusability tests indicated that the composite can be regenerated and reused for at least four cycles with high removal efficiency.