Degradation of Fast Green FCF dye through Ecologically Sustainable ZnO NPs

Introduction

Synthetic dyes are widely utilized across numerous industries, but their durability, harmful effects, and resistance to natural degradation processes make them major pollutants, especially in industrial wastewater. Conventional treatment techniques often fail to fully eliminate these substances. Photocatalysis involving semiconductor materials has shown promise as an effective method for degrading the dye under relatively mild conditions. Among the different metal oxide photocatalysts, zinc oxide (ZnO) has attracted considerable interest due to its small band gap, strong stability, affordability, and ability to be activated by visible light.

Methodology

In this study, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised through a green synthesis method using Livistona chinensis leaf extract and utilized for photocatalytic degradation of synthetic dyes under visible light. The NPs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, UV-vis and FESEM techniques. The band gap was also calculated. The photocatalytic activity was tested against Fast Green FCF azo dye.

Results

The produced NPs showed significant photocatalytic efficacy. The photocatalytic potential of the ZnO NPs against Fast green FCF showed 76 % photodegradation after 90 minutes when exposed to visible light.

Conclusion

The study highlights the advantages of utilizing ZnO NPs as a visible-light-activated, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly photocatalyst. These findings suggest that the NPs could be used as a sustainable wastewater treatment.