Figure 2 TEM images of G-TiO 2 for 20 nm and size 5 nm

1. RAPID: Novel Functionalized Nanomaterials for Effective Remediation of Spilled Oil Contaminants in the Gulf of MexicoAshok Kumar, University of South Florida, DMR 1066649 Outcome:Researchers at University of South Florida have observed the decontamination of organic including petroleum compounds using Titanium oxide (TiO2)-graphene and Titanium oxide (TiO2)-graphene-Rhamnolipid nanomaterials. G-TiO2 -rhamnolipid composite is the better choice for remediation of organic compounds. Impact: The experimental finding shows the advantage of organic decontaminants using G-TiO2-Rhamnolipid over G-TiO2 nanocomposite. Interestingly, the use of Rhamnolipid in G-TiO2 shows the improved organic remediation in both UV-visible and visible light. Based on our results, we are using naphthalene and diesel at different concentrations for remediation from water. We feel that the use of biosurfactant with G-TiO2 could be innovative material for water remediation. Explanation:This project finds the integration of two technologies for removal of organic pollutants using the biosurfactant (Rhamnolipid) and photocatalysts- TiO2containing graphene nanoparticles. Rhamnolipids are a good biosurfactant, and able to remove all the organic compounds and heavy metallic petroleum products, whereas the complete removal of organic compounds is made possible by photocatalysts graphene doped TiO2particles.Therefore, under this program, we have shown a suitable method to use TiO2-graphene and biosurfactant/TiO2-graphene to remove products of petroleum compounds. Dr.Ashok Kumar and Dr. Manoj K. Ram at USF have developed the nanocomposite materials, and used then them to effectively decontaminant organics from water. The experimental finding under this project have shown the advantage of organic decontaminants using G-TiO2-Rhamnolipid over G-TiO2 nanocomposite. However, Figure 1 shows the use of Rhamnolipid in with G-TiO2 nanomaterials. It removes most of the methyl orange in nearly 200 minutes with light illumination intensity of 30 W/ m2. Fig.1 The methyl orange decontamination using (a) samples collected for G-TiO2 –rhamnolipid(0.19 gm) nanocomposite, (b) Samples collected for G-TiO2 -rhamnolipid (0.1gm)

2. RAPID: Novel Functionalized Nanomaterials for Effective Remediation of Spilled Oil Contaminants in the Gulf of MexicoAshok Kumar, University of South Florida, DMR 1066649 Experimental: We synthesized and characterized graphene (G)-metal oxide (TiO2) nanocomposite, and G-TiO2-Rhamnolipid nanocomposite materials to understand organic compounds remediation from water. The G-TiO2 nanocomposite was made using the sol-gel technique. G -TiO2 -Rhamnolipid composite was made using the slurry and adsorption process. • Figure 2 TEM images of G-TiO2 for 20 nm and size 5 nm Results: Figure 2 shows the TEM images G-TiO2 where TiO2nanoparticles are covered with the graphene platelets. The peak at 577 cm-1 shows the Ti-O-Ti whereas 1603 cm-1 reveal the characteristics IR peak of graphene in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows the diffraction spectra of G-TiO2 nanoparticles deposited on silicon substrate. It shows the peaks at 26.505, 44.35, 48.036, 54.605, and 61.9. The observed peak at 26.51° and 48.03° are indicative of anatase phase of TiO2 present in G- TiO2nanocomposite. Figure 3: FTIR spectra of G-TiO2 nanocomposites Figure 4 X-Ray diffraction pattern of G-TiO2

3. RAPID: Novel Functionalized Nanomaterials for Effective Remediation of …. Ashok Kumar, University of South Florida, DMR 1066649 In figure 5 shows the photocatalytic decontamination of p25, G- TiO2 and G-SiO2 nanomaterials. The G-TiO2 degrades MO under the UV-visible light in 180 minutes whereas P25 to completely removes MO in 195 minutes. The presence of graphene helps in producing the free hydroxyl radical. The G-TiO2 containing only rhamnolipid of 0.1 gm is sufficient to decontamination is organic molecules. Figure 6 shows the samples of for MO containing water decontaminated for various rhamnolipid containing G-TiO2nanocomposite. Conclusions: Our goal is to understand the decontamination effect of organic molecules from TiO2-G and TiO2-G-Rhamnolipid nanocomposites. Our results shows that report shows advantage of organic decontaminants using G-TiO2-Rhamnolipid over G-TiO2 and nanocomposite materials. Based on these results the petroleum decontamination is in progress using the optimized nanomaterials. Figure 5 Photodegradation of MO by G-TiO2, G-SiO2 and commercially available P25 under irradiation of 30 W/m2 UV-visible light. Future Plan: Effectively remediate petroleum from the contaminated sea water. Publications 1. T. E Alam, M. K. Ram, Mi. Ladanov, F.Alvi, A. Mujumdar and A. Kumar (2012). MRS Proceedings, 1400, mrsf11-1400-s08-07 doi:10.1557/opl.2012.500. 2. Jorge Arturo Lara Viera, Manoj K. Ram, Pedro Villalba, Mikhail Ladanov and Ashok Kumar, MRS Proceedings , Volume 1395 / 2012 3. Manoj Kumar Ram, S. Gunti and A. Kumar, The petroleum decontamination using Graphene-Titanium oxide and graphene –TiO2-Rhamnolipid (under preparation for J. Phys Chem. ) 4. Manoj K Ram, Ajit Mujumdar, Tanvir E Alam, Ashok Kumar, The heavy metal separation using graphene-SiO2nanomaterials, Provisional Patent filing under progress Figure 6 Change of concentration of MO as a function of time containing various concentration of Rhamnolipid