Biopolymer-functionalized ZnO photocatalysts for efficient and reusable removal of multiple organic.
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| Title: | Biopolymer-functionalized ZnO photocatalysts for efficient and reusable removal of multiple organic. |
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| Authors: | Haste, Zeynep Özserçe1 (AUTHOR) zeynep.ozsercehaste@sivas.edu.tr, Orak, Ceren2 (AUTHOR) ceren.orak@sivas.edu.tr, Horoz, Sabit1,3 (AUTHOR) sabit.horoz@sivas.edu.tr |
| Source: | Polymer Bulletin. Jul2026, Vol. 83 Issue 7, p1-22. 22p. |
| Abstract: | In this study, zinc oxide nanocomparticles were synthesized via chemical precipitation method followed by surface functionalization with biopolymeric chitosan. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the nanocomposites were systematically investigated using XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The chitosan coating did not alter the crystalline wurtzite structure of ZnO but introduced a rough, porous surface morphology and enhanced dispersion. Optical measurements revealed that ZnO@Chitosan exhibited improved UV absorption compared to bare ZnO, indicating more efficient photon harvesting. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated under UV-B irradiation using five structurally diverse organic dyes, namely Methylene Blue (MB), Methyl Orange (MO), Rhodamine B (RhB), Congo Red (CR), and Malachite Green (MG), as model pollutants. ZnO@Chitosan consistently showed higher degradation efficiencies and faster kinetics across all dyes compared to bare ZnO. Kinetic modeling confirmed that the photocatalytic reactions followed pseudo-first-order behavior, with ZnO@Chitosan exhibiting up to 2.5 times higher rate constants. Additionally, reusability tests demonstrated the structural stability and recyclability of the hybrid nanomaterial over multiple cycles. The novelty of this work lies in the strategic surface modification of ZnO with chitosan to enhance both dispersion and interfacial charge dynamics, without the need for doping or complex synthesis. The use of chitosan, a sustainable and biocompatible polymer, offers an environmentally friendly route to stabilize ZnO nanoparticles while improving photocatalytic efficiency. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that biopolymer-assisted surface engineering can be an effective approach to design advanced hybrid photocatalysts for wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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