Adsorptive and Photocatalytic Properties of Green Synthesized ZnO and ZnO/NiFe2O4 Nanocomposites for Tannery Wastewater Treatment

This study investigated adsorptive and catalytic behaviour of ZnO ZnO/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites for the removal degradation organic pollutants in tannery wastewater. nanomaterials were synthesized via a green method using Zn, Fe Ni salts precursor leaves extract Anacardium occidentale (linn.). Subsequently, samples characterized by different analytical tools. The performance prepared nanomaterial assessed reduction Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical (BOD) Total Organic Carbon (TOC) wastewater as indicator parameters. High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (HRSEM), Transmission (HRTEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed formation hexagonal wurtzite nanoparticle cubic spinel phase with an average crystallite sizes range 13- 28 nm 30.44 – 42.53 respectively. XRD no change polymorph upon addition NiFe2O4. XPS spectrum showed existence elements following oxidation state (+2) (+1, +2) (+2 +3) Fe. BET revealed order specific surface area (44.61 m2/g) > NiFe2O4 (40.39 (8.91 m2 /g). photocatalytic results that 3% exhibits higher efficiency compared to nanoparticles alone ZnO. behaved better photocatalyst than nanoadsorbent.
 Keywords: Adsorption, technology; ZnO; ZnO/NiFe2O4,