Graphene oxide–dithizone (GO–DTZ) composite was successfully synthesized through the copolymerization of graphene oxide and dithizone to develop an efficient photocatalytic material for wastewater treatment. The dithizone polymer was prepared using a 1:2 molar ratio, while graphene oxide was synthesized via the modified Hummers’ method to obtain highly oxidized graphene sheets with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups. The GO–DTZ nanocomposite was fabricated by ultrasonically dispersing graphene oxide with the synthesized dithizone polymer for 60 minutes, ensuring uniform interaction and effective incorporation of the polymer onto the graphene oxide surface. The structural and physicochemical properties of the synthesized composite were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The characterization results confirmed the successful integration of dithizone into the graphene oxide framework, indicating the formation of a stable nanocomposite with enhanced functional characteristics. The photocatalytic performance of the GO–DTZ composite was evaluated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under natural sunlight irradiation. A 30-ppm methylene blue solution containing the synthesized catalyst was continuously stirred for two hours to monitor the degradation process. The GO–DTZ composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, achieving a maximum degradation efficiency of 82.29%. This enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic interaction between graphene oxide and dithizone, which promotes efficient charge separation, suppresses electron–hole recombination, and provides a greater number of active functional sites for photocatalytic reactions. These findings demonstrate that the GO–DTZ nanocomposite is an effective and environmentally friendly photocatalyst with considerable potential for the removal of organic dye pollutants from wastewater, making it a promising candidate for sustainable environmental remediation and advanced water treatment applications.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Moeen S, Shahzadi A, Iqbal M, Al-Buriahi MS, Al-Ghamdi SA, El-Sadek MS, et al. Comparative study of sonophotocatalytic, photocatalytic, and catalytic activities of magnesium- and chitosan-doped tin oxide quantum dots. ACS Omega. 2022;7(50):46428–46439.
2. Shahzadi A, Moeen S, Iqbal M, Al-Buriahi MS, Al-Ghamdi SA, El-Sadek MS, et al. La-doped CeO₂ quantum dots: Novel dye degrader, antibacterial activity, and in silico molecular docking analysis. ACS Omega. 2023;8(9):8605–8616.
3. Yang S, Cheng Y, Lou LP, Wu X. Involvement of chloride anion in photocatalytic process. J Environ Sci (China). 2005;17(5):761–765.
4. Rao SN, Dhore MS, Nagmote MS, Patel BC. Oxidation of organics using Mn(H₂PO₄)₂ as a catalyst for rapid determination of COD of industrial saline effluents. Mater Today Proc. 2019;15(3):638–644.
5. Dhore MS, Butoliya S, Zade AB. Non-isothermal degradation studies and ion-exchange properties of 4-aminosalicylic acid, urea and formaldehyde copolymer resin. J Indian Chem Soc. 2015;92(2):147–157.
6. Brudzyńska P, Sionkowska A, Grisel M. Plant-derived colorants for food, cosmetic and textile industries: A review. Materials. 2021;14(13):3484.
7. Chequer FMD, de Oliveira GAR, Ferraz ERA, Cardoso JC, Zanoni MVB, de Oliveira DP. Textile dyes: Dyeing process and environmental impact. In: Günay M, editor. Eco-Friendly Textile Dyeing and Finishing. Rijeka: InTech; 2013. p. 151–176.
8. Manza HT, Dhore MS, Amalraj S, Pugalenthi R. Optimization of anode electrode resistance using synthesized graphene oxide for DSSC applications. Indian J Eng Mater Sci. 2023;30(6):851–858.
9. Dhore MS, Ansari QAK, Manza HT, Amalraj S, Pugalenthi R, Nagmote MS, et al. Hexamethylenedimine functionalized graphene oxide: A promising and supporting carbonaceous electrode material in supercapacitor. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron. 2025;36(18):1147.
10. Manza HT, Dhore MS, Amalraj S. 2D covalent interaction of aminophenol functionalized graphene oxide. ECS Trans. 2022;107(1):16531–16539.

Graphene oxide–dithizone (GO–DTZ) composite was successfully synthesized through the copolymerization of graphene oxide and dithizone to develop an efficient photocatalytic material for wastewater treatment. The dithizone polymer was prepared using a 1:2 molar ratio, while graphene oxide was synthesized via the modified Hummers’ method to obtain highly oxidized graphene sheets with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups. The GO–DTZ nanocomposite was fabricated by ultrasonically dispersing graphene oxide with the synthesized dithizone polymer for 60 minutes, ensuring uniform interaction and effective incorporation of the polymer onto the graphene oxide surface. The structural and physicochemical properties of the synthesized composite were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The characterization results confirmed the successful integration of dithizone into the graphene oxide framework, indicating the formation of a stable nanocomposite with enhanced functional characteristics. The photocatalytic performance of the GO–DTZ composite was evaluated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under natural sunlight irradiation. A 30-ppm methylene blue solution containing the synthesized catalyst was continuously stirred for two hours to monitor the degradation process. The GO–DTZ composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, achieving a maximum degradation efficiency of 82.29%. This enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic interaction between graphene oxide and dithizone, which promotes efficient charge separation, suppresses electron–hole recombination, and provides a greater number of active functional sites for photocatalytic reactions. These findings demonstrate that the GO–DTZ nanocomposite is an effective and environmentally friendly photocatalyst with considerable potential for the removal of organic dye pollutants from wastewater, making it a promising candidate for sustainable environmental remediation and advanced water treatment applications.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Moeen S, Shahzadi A, Iqbal M, Al-Buriahi MS, Al-Ghamdi SA, El-Sadek MS, et al. Comparative study of sonophotocatalytic, photocatalytic, and catalytic activities of magnesium- and chitosan-doped tin oxide quantum dots. ACS Omega. 2022;7(50):46428–46439.
2. Shahzadi A, Moeen S, Iqbal M, Al-Buriahi MS, Al-Ghamdi SA, El-Sadek MS, et al. La-doped CeO₂ quantum dots: Novel dye degrader, antibacterial activity, and in silico molecular docking analysis. ACS Omega. 2023;8(9):8605–8616.
3. Yang S, Cheng Y, Lou LP, Wu X. Involvement of chloride anion in photocatalytic process. J Environ Sci (China). 2005;17(5):761–765.
4. Rao SN, Dhore MS, Nagmote MS, Patel BC. Oxidation of organics using Mn(H₂PO₄)₂ as a catalyst for rapid determination of COD of industrial saline effluents. Mater Today Proc. 2019;15(3):638–644.
5. Dhore MS, Butoliya S, Zade AB. Non-isothermal degradation studies and ion-exchange properties of 4-aminosalicylic acid, urea and formaldehyde copolymer resin. J Indian Chem Soc. 2015;92(2):147–157.
6. Brudzyńska P, Sionkowska A, Grisel M. Plant-derived colorants for food, cosmetic and textile industries: A review. Materials. 2021;14(13):3484.
7. Chequer FMD, de Oliveira GAR, Ferraz ERA, Cardoso JC, Zanoni MVB, de Oliveira DP. Textile dyes: Dyeing process and environmental impact. In: Günay M, editor. Eco-Friendly Textile Dyeing and Finishing. Rijeka: InTech; 2013. p. 151–176.
8. Manza HT, Dhore MS, Amalraj S, Pugalenthi R. Optimization of anode electrode resistance using synthesized graphene oxide for DSSC applications. Indian J Eng Mater Sci. 2023;30(6):851–858.
9. Dhore MS, Ansari QAK, Manza HT, Amalraj S, Pugalenthi R, Nagmote MS, et al. Hexamethylenedimine functionalized graphene oxide: A promising and supporting carbonaceous electrode material in supercapacitor. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron. 2025;36(18):1147.
10. Manza HT, Dhore MS, Amalraj S. 2D covalent interaction of aminophenol functionalized graphene oxide. ECS Trans. 2022;107(1):16531–16539.