Cashew Nut Shell Waste Derived Graphene Oxide.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Green Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Graphene oxide (GO) possesses unique properties driving technological innovation.
• Sustainable and renewable sources are crucial for meeting future GO demand.
• Agricultural waste presents a promising, eco-friendly feedstock for carbon materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cashew nut shell (CNS) as a sustainable precursor for graphene oxide (GO) synthesis.
• To optimize the pyrolysis process for converting deoiled cashew nut shells (DCNS) into a carbonaceous material.
• To characterize the synthesized GO derived from DCNS using various analytical techniques.

Main Methods:

• Deoiled cashew nut shells (DCNS) underwent pyrolysis, with conditions optimized using response surface methodology.
• The resulting pyrolyzed DCNS (Py-DCNS) was converted to graphene oxide (GO-DCNS) via a modified Hummers method.
• Structural and compositional analyses were performed using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, SEM, and EDX.

Main Results:

• Optimal pyrolysis conditions (950 °C, 1.8 h) yielded 29.09% Py-DCNS with 91.9% purity after washing.
• FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the successful oxidation and formation of GO-DCNS with characteristic functional groups and defects.
• SEM and EDX analyses revealed morphological changes, increased porosity, and the presence of oxygen functional groups in GO-DCNS.

Conclusions:

• Cashew nut shells are a viable and sustainable precursor for producing graphene oxide.
• This method offers an environmentally friendly alternative for GO synthesis, addressing agricultural waste management.
• The study demonstrates the potential for creating high-value carbon materials from a renewable resource.