ABSTRACT
This study looks into the combined photocatalytic treatment of wastewater with zinc oxide (ZnO) and lignin obtained from peanut shells as co-catalysts. Wastewater contamination poses serious dangers to both human health and aquatic ecosystems, owing to the existence of persistent contaminants such organic dyes, heavy metals, medicines, and industrial chemicals. The study uses the degradation of Methyl Orange (MO) as a sample model reaction to assess the efficacy of the ZnO-Lignin composite (LC/ZnO), which shows remarkable photocatalytic performance in MO degradation and offers potential answers to wastewater treatment difficulties.
Furthermore, the study evaluates the effectiveness of activated carbon gotten from peanut shells as an adsorbent in the extraction of methyl orange from aqueous solutions. The activated carbon has advantageous features such as stability under humid environments, a bulk density of 0.987 g/mL, a large surface area and an average pore size of 46.8 angstroms. The study observes adsorption patterns in which rates grow over time until they approach equilibrium, with the initial concentration having an inverse impact on the adsorption rate.
Finally, this work proposes novel techniques to addressing major environmental concerns with wastewater treatment and pollutant removal. The combined use of ZnO and Lignin as photocatalysts results in effective pollutant degradation in wastewater, which contributes to sustainable water management and environmental rehabilitation efforts. Furthermore, activated carbon generated from peanut shells emerges as a viable environmentally friendly adsorbent for water treatment applications, emphasizing the importance of novel materials and approaches in reducing water pollution and improving sustainable water management.
