In the heart of Indonesia, researchers are exploring innovative ways to tackle two pressing issues: heavy metal contamination in agriculture and organic pollution in water. Lathifah Puji Hastuti, a researcher from the Graduate School at Universitas Padjadjaran, has led a study that could revolutionize how we approach these challenges. The work, published in Results in Engineering, delves into the potential of a novel composite material to enhance rice plant tolerance to lead (Pb) toxicity and degrade organic dyes, offering a dual benefit for agriculture and environmental remediation.
Heavy metals like lead pose a significant threat to agricultural sustainability, stunting plant growth and entering the food chain. Meanwhile, organic dyes from industrial effluents pollute water bodies, posing environmental and health risks. Hastuti’s research addresses both issues using a composite material made from reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4).
The composite was synthesized by integrating bulk g-C3N4, formed via urea pyrolysis, with rGO, produced using a modified Hummers method. The resulting rGO/g-C3N4 composite was then tested for its ability to mitigate lead toxicity in rice plants and degrade methylene blue (MB), a common textile dye.
In hydroponic studies, rice plants treated with the rGO/g-C3N4 composite showed reduced lead uptake, diminished oxidative stress, and increased chlorophyll production, leading to a significant boost in biomass. “The addition of the composite helps to alleviate the effects of lead exposure,” Hastuti explains. “We observed improvements in root and leaf length by up to 15–20%, and a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels from 0.64 to 0.48 μM/mg protein, indicating reduced oxidative stress.”
The composite’s potential doesn’t stop at agriculture. When tested as a photocatalyst under visible light, rGO/g-C3N4 showed a 68% degradation of MB, outperforming g-C3N4 alone at 50%. This photocatalytic activity could be a game-changer for the energy sector, particularly in wastewater treatment and solar energy harvesting.
The kinetic studies of MB photodegradation followed the pseudo-first-order Lagergren model, with a kinetic constant of 0.3023 g mg−1 min−1. This consistent and predictable degradation rate is crucial for commercial applications, ensuring efficient and reliable performance.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. For the energy sector, the composite’s photocatalytic properties could lead to more efficient solar cells and advanced wastewater treatment systems. For agriculture, it offers a promising solution to heavy metal contamination, enhancing crop yield and food security.
As we face increasing environmental challenges, innovative solutions like the rGO/g-C3N4 composite offer hope. By addressing multiple issues with a single material, we can move towards a more sustainable and efficient future. This research, published in Results in Engineering, paves the way for further exploration and commercialization of these versatile materials. The work of Hastuti and her team at Universitas Padjadjaran is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research in tackling global challenges.