The photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of graphene biosynthesized from sugar and anchored on
sand particles has been focused here. The morphology and composition of the synthesized Graphene
Sand Composite (GSC) was investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDAX), Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy
(FTIR) and UVeVisible spectroscopy. SEM images show wrinkly edges. This is characteristic of
graphenic morphology. Three types of waste water samples namely, textile waste (TW), sugarcane industrial
waste water (SW) and domestic waste water from a local purification center at Kodaikanal
(KWW) were collected and treated. Adsorption experiments showed effective removal of impurities at
0.2 g of GSC. Photocatalytic activity was analyzed under visible and ultraviolet irradiation. The rate
constant for TW increased to 0.0032/min for visible light irradiation from 0.0029/min under UV irradiation.
SW showed similar improved activity with rate constant as 0.0023/min in visible irradiation
compared to 0.0016/min under UV irradiation. For KWW enhanced activity was seen only in visible light
irradiation with rate constant 0.0025/min. GSC showed an inhibition zone of 20 mm against the bacterium
Escherichia coli. Results suggest development of economic and effective waste water management
systems