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ABSTRACTThis study explores the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) using coconut shell and sawdust waste as precursors, employing a modified Hummers method. The research focuses on the effective conversion of these agricultural byproducts into GO, highlighting the potential for sustainable material development. The synthesis process was optimized to enhance the yield and quality of the GO produced. Preliminary results indicate successful oxidation of the carbon-rich precursors, evidenced by the formation of a distinct GO structure. The study sets the stage for subsequent characterization analyses, which will include techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy to confirm the structural and functional properties of the synthesized GO. Preliminary results indicate successful transformation, with distinct morphological and structural characteristics observed in the graphene derivatives from both sawdust and coconut shell waste. This research underscores the viability of utilizing coconut shell and sawdust waste for producing GO, contributing to waste valorization and the development of eco-friendly materials. Future work will focus on comprehensive characterization to fully elucidate the properties of the synthesized GO and its potential applications in various fields, including electronics, energy storage, and environmental remediation.Keywords: Coconut Shell Waste, Sawdust Waste, Chemical Activation, Graphene Oxide, Waste Management, Modified Hummers Method1. IntroductionGraphene oxide (GO) has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its unique properties and potential applications in various fields, including electronics, energy storage, and environmental remediation (Grace and Malar, 2020). Traditionally, GO is synthesized using graphite as the primary raw material through methods such as the Hummers method. However, the increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials has led researchers to explore alternative sources for GO synthesis. Graphene has two dimensional (2D) carbon allotrope with hexagonal lattice is held together by bonds (Al-Gaashani et al., 2019; Shin et al., 2017; Hass et al., 2008).In this study, we investigate the synthesis of GO using coconut shell and sawdust waste as raw materials. Omar et al. (2022), reported that, the rapid used of coconut for consumption and other purposes has increases the amount of agricultural waste daily. These agricultural wastes are abundant, renewable, and often underutilized, making them ideal candidates for sustainable material production (Grace and Malar, 2020; Somanathan et al., 2015). Nigeria generates approximately 1.8 million tonnes of sawdust and 5.2 million tonnes of wood waste annually as reported by (Oyedepo et al., 2019; Tilak et al., 2017; Ogunwusi, 2014). Managing and utilizing waste pose substantial global challenges. Researchers worldwide are currently focusing on converting waste into value-added products, with a particular focus on carbon-based nanomaterials (Asif and Saha, 2023).By employing a modified Hummers method, we aim to develop an efficient and eco-friendly process for converting these waste materials into high-quality GO.The novelty of this research lies in the utilization of coconut shell and sawdust waste, which not only addresses the issue of waste management but also provides a cost-effective and sustainable approach to GO synthesis. This study will detail the preparation of raw materials, the modified synthesis procedure, and the potential applications of the synthesized GO. Through this work, we hope to contribute to the advancement of green chemistry and the development of sustainable materials for future technologies.Carbon residues and biomass are increasingly proposed as promising precursors for graphene material synthesis. This was as a result to their high carbon content, environmental-friendly nature, lower processing temperatures, widespread availability and cost-effectiveness (Yap et al., 2023). Numerous studies have explored the utilization of different carbon precursors and biomass sources, viz. sugarcane bagasse (Somanathan et al., 2015), tea (Amir Faiz et al., 2020), oil palm leaves (Fathy et al., 2019), pine leaves (Singhal et al., 2022), rice straw (Goswami et al., 2017) and industrial scraps such as tyres (Anuar et al., 2023), bio-soot (Kumar Sahoo et al., 2020), Zn-C batteries (Hassanin et al., 2022) for synthesizing GOThe primary aim of this research is to develop a sustainable and efficient method for synthesizing GO using coconut shell and sawdust waste through a modified Hummers method this method is was employed by (Zaaba et al., 2017; Sim et al., 2014; Akhavan and Ghaderi 2009). This approach seeks to address both the need for high-quality GO and the challenge of managing agricultural waste (Zhu et al., 2022; Romero et al., 2018; Marcano et al., 2010). This research work is set with the following objectives by investigating the feasibility of using coconut shell and sawdust waste as raw materials for the synthesis of GO, adapting and optimizing the traditional Hummers method to effectively convert coconut shell and sawdust into GO and by discussing the potential applications of the synthesized GO in various fields such as renewable energy, material science, and environmental remediation.

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