ZnO/Cellulose Nanofiber Composites for Sustainable Sunlight-Driven Dye Degradation

Abstract

Porous ZnO/cellulose nanofiber (CNF) composites were synthesized to investigate their photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye (a persistent organic pollutant model) under a UV lamp and sunlight. UV/vis analysis indicated that complete photodegradation was achieved in about 10 min under natural sunlight with low UV intensity (between 1500 and 2900 μW/cm–1 of UVA/B). Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, X-ray diffraction, and small-angle X-ray scattering characterization of the composite were consistent with flower/plate morphology ZnO nanomaterials of similar size to the CNF fiber diameter distributed in the matrix. The catalyst with 0.3 M Zn­(Ac)2 and 1.5 wt % CNF loading was the sample with the highest MB photodegradation efficiency of >99% in less than 10 min. This study provides proof-of-concept of a simple, sustainable, ecofriendly, and industrially scalable approach to synthesize extremely efficient ZnO/CNF photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants. Catalyst performance showed greater dye degradation with a function of irradiation time as compared to state-of-the-art catalysts reported in the literature.

A review of graphene‐TiO2 and graphene‐ZnO nanocomposite photocatalysts for wastewater treatment

“…The mechanism for this was the delayed recombination rate of electron-hole pair in the nanocomposite photocatalyst. Also, ZnO/cellulose nanofiber composite exhibited photodegradation efficiency of >99% in 10 min under sunlight-driven photocatalysts (Dehghani et al, 2020).…”

Testing the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers Reinforced with Succinite and Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles

“…The resultant PNCs have property profiles that are suitable for a broad variety of industrial applications, including high stiffness, chemical and heat resistance, dimensional stability, decreased water absorption, and enhanced electric and optical characteristics [16,17]. The purpose of nanofillers in structural applications is to improve the stiffness of the polymer matrix while increasing the toughness through novel energy-dissipation processes [18,19]. As a result, developing PNCs with an optimal balance of characteristics requires a high degree of connection between processing and morphological and micromechanical control.…”

Assessing the suitability of self-healing rubber glove for safe handling of pesticides

“…Therefore, the demand for safe and less harmful reinforcing agents increases. Nanocellulose isolated plants and bacteria sources are potential rubber reinforcing agents due to their beneficial properties such as being, non-toxic abundantly available, sustainable, and renewable 40 , 41 . However, nanocellulose often suffers from agglomeration and weak interfacial adhesion on rubber matrix thus limiting the reinforcing efficiency 36 , 42 .…”