Reusability performance of zinc oxide nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of POME

• Main Authors: Zainuri, Nur Zarifah, Hairom, Nur Hanis Hayati, Abu Bakar Sidik, Dilaelyana, Misdan, Nurasyikin, Yusof, Norhaniza, Mohammad, Abdul Wahab
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Open 2018
• Subjects: TA401-492 Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
• Online Access: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/3126/1/AJ%202019%20%28101%29.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/3126/; https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20183402013

Performance and reusability of different zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-PVP and ZnO-PEG) for photocatalytic degradation of palm-mill oil effluent (POME) has been studied. The nanoparticles properties were haracterised with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM results show that ZnO-PEG nanoparticles exhibit the smaller size than ZnO-PVP with less agglomeration. It was found that ZnO-PEG shows better effectiveness than ZnO-PVP in reducing turbidity, colour and increasing the dissolved oxygen (DO). By using two types of reusability methods: (a) oven drying (b) hot water rinsing, the oven drying method portrayed the most efficient route for POME treatment. This research would be a solution to the palm oil industry for photocatalyst recovering as well as reduction of the chemical usage in order to meet the development of advanced and greener technologies.