Surface modification of microporous carbonaceous fiber for the growth of zinc oxide micro/nanostructures for the decontamination of malathion

J of Chemical Tech & Biotech

2018

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BACKGROUND An efficient material possessing both photocatalytic and antimicrobial properties is necessary to remediate contaminated water resources. In the present study, zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO) have been impregnated on activated carbon fibres (ACF) to develop a heterogeneous photocatalytic system for the degradation of an organophosphorus compound, taking Malathion as a model pollutant, and to investigate the antibacterial efficiency of the former. RESULTS The efficiency of Malathion removal varies with catalyst dosage, initial concentration of Malathion, and also depends on the interference from inorganic ions such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate and bicarbonate in the contaminated solution. The role played by the highly active radicals in the degradation process is inevitable, confirmed by the addition of radical scavengers during the reaction. Hydroxyl radicals were found to be the most active species accountable for the degradation of Malathion. Moreover, OH trapping experiments conducted by measuring photoluminescence (PL) intensity concluded that greater amounts of OH radicals are generated with increase in time. Reusability and long‐term stability of the composite was validated for up to five degradation cycles. The developed composite also possesses microbial decontamination capabilities, verified by studying antibacterial assay against Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella Pneumoniae. CONCLUSION Dual functional and reusable ZnO rods/ACF composites were developed using a simple, low cost hydrothermal method, and could be used as a potential candidate for water treatment applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dual role of chemically functionalized activated carbon fibres: investigation of parameters influencing the degradation of organophosphorus compounds and antibacterial behaviour

J of Chemical Tech & Biotech

2018

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“…ZnO rods are known to possess higher surface defects that can assist in the photocatalytic degradation process (22). Moreover, in our previous studies, we have proved ZnO rods exhibit higher rate when compared to other ZnO architectures (8).…”

Section: Degradation Of 2 4-dichlorophenolmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…The adsorption-desorption isotherms are important to predict the porous nature of a material. Our previous studies have revealed that ACF and acid-treated ACF possess microporous nature (8). Figure 1 shows that ACF modified with ZnO rods/ACF indicates that modification did not alter the microporous nature of ACF.…”

Section: Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 90%

Photocatalytic Degradation of a Chlorinated Organic Chemical Using Activated Carbon Fiber Coupled with Semiconductor

Photochem & Photobiology

2019

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Hydrothermal mediated synthesis was used to couple activated carbon fiber and semiconductor. Batch mode photocatalytic experiments were performed to investigate the efficacy of the developed photocatalyst in the degradation of 2, 4‐dichlorophenol. Operational parameters including initial concentration of 2, 4‐dichlorophenol and catalyst loading were optimized at natural pH conditions. Addition of inorganic anions during the degradation revealed that the presence of anions greatly affects the degradation efficiency. The significance of highly reactive radicals on the photocatalytic degradation was identified by the addition of radical scavengers such as isopropanol (OH˙), benzoquinone (˙O2-) and potassium iodide (h+). Reusability of the photocatalyst was confirmed by conducting five cyclic studies. Further, the dissolution of Zn2+ in the solution was analyzed and determined to be 0.199 μg mL−1. Seed germination study was conducted to examine the toxicity nature of ZnO on growth and development of Vigna radiata.

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Strategies to design modified activated carbon fibers for the decontamination of water and air

2018

Environ Chem Lett