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Matei E, Șăulean AA, Râpă M, Constandache A, Predescu AM, Coman G, Berbecaru AC, Predescu C. ZnO nanostructured matrix as nexus catalysts for the removal of emerging pollutants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:114779-114821. [PMID: 37919505 PMCID: PMC10682326 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30713-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Water pollution stands as a pressing global environmental concern, elevating the significance of innovative, dependable, and sustainable solutions. This study represents an extensive review of the use of photocatalytic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for the removal of emerging pollutants from water and wastewater. The study examines ZnO NPs' different preparation methods, including physical, chemical, and green synthesis, and emphasizes on advantages, disadvantages, preparation factors, and investigation methods for the structural and morphological properties. ZnO NPs demonstrate remarkable properties as photocatalysts; however, their small dimensions pose an issue, leading to potential post-use environmental losses. A strategy to overcome this challenge is scaling up ZnO NP matrices for enhanced stability and efficiency. The paper introduces novel ZnO NP composites, by incorporating supports like carbon and clay that serve as photocatalysts in the removal of emerging pollutants from water and wastewater. In essence, this research underscores the urgency of finding innovative, efficient, and eco-friendly solutions for the removal of emerging pollutants from wastewater and highlights the high removal efficiencies obtained when using ZnO NPs obtained from green synthesis as a photocatalyst. Future research should be developed on the cost-benefit analysis regarding the preparation methods, treatment processes, and value-added product regeneration efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecaterina Matei
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Andreea Șăulean
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Maria Râpă
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra Constandache
- Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andra Mihaela Predescu
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania
| | - George Coman
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andrei Constantin Berbecaru
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Predescu
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania
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Verma S, Younis SA, Kim KH, Dong F. Anisotropic ZnO nanostructures and their nanocomposites as an advanced platform for photocatalytic remediation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 415:125651. [PMID: 33770683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In pursuit of advanced heterogeneous photocatalysts, ZnO has emerged as a promising option for solar-driven heterogeneous photocatalyst with many advantageous properties (e.g., optical band structure and electronic properties). However, as the efficacy of such system can also be limited by a number of demerits (e.g., fast recombination of charge carriers and limited photon absorption), considerable efforts are needed for its effective and practical scale-up. This article provides a detailed literature review of the synthesis and modification of ZnO nanostructures with tuned band structures and controllable morphologies for solar light harvesting. The potential of anisotropic ZnO nanostructures is also discussed with respect to the photocatalytic degradation of organic/inorganic water pollutants. Further, the role of various metal dopants is discussed for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity along with evaluation of their photocatalytic performances under UV-visible or solar irradiation. Finally, our discussions are expanded to describe the prospects of developed ZnO nano-photocatalysts for real-world applications with respect to light-harvesting efficiency and mechanical stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Verma
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Sherif A Younis
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; Analysis and Evaluation Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr City, Cairo 11727, Egypt
| | - Ki-Hyun Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Fan Dong
- Yangtze Delta Region Institute (Huzhou), & Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Huzhou 313001, China; State Centre for International Cooperation on Designer Low-carbon and Environmental Materials (CDLCEM), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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