Waste water remediation through ultrafast reduction of organic dyes, nitroaromatics, and nitrofuran antibiotics employing efficient multifunctional rGO/Ni-MOF composites

Abstract

Herein, we report a synthesis of a highly efficient and effective Ni-MOF/GO composite catalyst and its application in the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds, dyes, and nitrofuran antibiotics (nitrofurantoin). The composite was prepared via a sonication-assisted method, effectively integrating a nickel metal–organic framework (Ni-MOF) onto graphene oxide (GO) sheets. The catalytic performance of the Ni-MOF/GO composite was well evaluated in the reduction of nitroaromatics such as p-nitrophenol, picric acid, and p-nitroaniline and dyes using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as a reducing agent, under milder conditions, thus highlighting its structural properties and potential as a highly effective catalyst for remediation of waste water from industrial processes. Furthermore, the Ni-MOF/GO composite is used for the degradation of nitro-containing antibiotics, such as nitrofurans, in medical effluents. Degraded nitrofurantoin was investigated for its antibacterial activity to assess the drug-resistant capacity of bacteria. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM.