Recent Advances in Nanocatalysis for Sustainable Environmental Applications

Pesticides are extensively used in agriculture to boost crop productivity. However, despite their benefits, they pose significant environmental risks by leaching into nearby water streams. In developing countries like India, farmers often lack proper training regarding pesticide dosage, leading to excessive application. This overuse results in pesticide accumulation in soil, which eventually contaminates nearby water bodies through runoff. Conventional methods such as filtration, electrolysis, precipitation, ion exchange, and adsorption are employed to remove dissolved pesticides. However, these techniques have inherent limitations, making them less effective in thoroughly treating contaminated water. Nanotechnology, a rapidly advancing field with applications across various sectors, offers promising solutions for addressing these challenges. Nanoparticles can facilitate the mineralization of dissolved pesticides through photocatalytic processes. Thus, harnessing the distinctive properties and diverse applications of nanocatalysts is essential for fostering a greener and more sustainable environment.

In this study, nanomaterials were synthesized using plant extracts through an eco-friendly green synthesis method. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized and assessed for their efficacy in environmental applications, particularly for pesticide degradation. Diaphosphate fertilizer was selected as the target pesticide, given its prevalent use in Indian agriculture. A highly dilute pesticide solution with an absorbance of less than 1 was prepared. Green-synthesized nanoparticles were then introduced into this solution, and the reaction was conducted under light exposure. UV readings were recorded at 1-hour intervals to closely monitor the degradation process. After several hours, a significant reduction in the UV spectra of the pesticide solution was observed, indicating the effectiveness of the synthesized nanoparticles in facilitating pesticide mineralization. This could serve as a pivotal advancement in mitigating pesticide contamination across soil, water, and the broader ecosystem.