Coal Fly Ash Decorated with Graphene Oxide–Tungsten Oxide Nanocomposite for Rapid Removal of Pb(2+) Ions and Reuse of Spent Adsorbent for Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen

[Image: see text] Coal fly ash was decorated with a graphene oxide–tungsten oxide nanorods nanocomposite (CFA/GO/WO(3)NRs nanocomposite) via a hydrothermal method and applied for the remediation of lead (Pb(2+) ions). The Pb(2+) ion-loaded spent adsorbent (CFA/GO/WO(3)NRs + Pb(2+) nanocomposite) was reused for the photodegradation of acetaminophen. CFA/GO/WO(3)NRs + Pb(2+) nanocomposite displayed rapid removal of Pb(2+) ions. Pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model described the adsorption data. The adsorption capacity of the CFA/GO/WO(3)NRs nanocomposite was 41.51 mg/g for the removal of Pb(2+) ions. Additionally, the Pb(2+) ion-loaded spent adsorbent significantly influenced the degradation of acetaminophen by photocatalysis where 93% degradation was observed. It is worthy to note the reuse application of Pb(2+) ion-loaded spent adsorbent as a photocatalyst, which will significantly reduce the secondary waste obtained from conventional adsorption methods.