Biosynthesis and Characterization of ZnO/NiFe2O4 Nanocatalyst via Green Route Using Anacadium occidentalelinn (cashew nut) and its photocatalytic activity for the treatment of tannery wastewater under sunlight irradiation

Abstract

The Anacadium occidentalelinn (cashew nut) leaves extract have been excellently utilized as a reducing as well as capping agent for the synthesis of zincoxide and nickel ferrite nanoparticles using zinc acetate, and iron (lll) chloride, nickel chloride as precursor with a different calcined temperature at the furnace and its application in the treatment of tannery wastewater. The generation of zinc oxide was proved by various characterization techniques. XRD studies displayed that a cubic phase and the average crystallite size for the intense peak measured were about 30-56nm was exhibited by the synthesized nanoparticle SEM image showed that synthesized particle are granular around 50nm and roughly spherical in shape. EDS analysis proved the elemental composition of the synthesized sample and disclosed that oxygen as well as zinc are the dominant elements. The synthesized catalyst was used in the tannery wastewater treatment also the quality parameters of tannery wastewater after treatment with the synthesized catalyst under sunlight irradiation, significantly changed and found to be within acceptable range of quality water according to (WHO). The color, odor and appearance where changed to colorless, odorless, and clear.  ph, 7.4 total organic carbon (TOC), 32(mg/dm3),  turbidity, 2.5(NTU) respectively. The highest efficiency of the treatment process was attained under sunlight irradiation conditions in comparison to those which were recorded under dark conditions as revealed by the result of the analysis. This procedure is safe, environmentally friendly and viable due to its fast, low cost compared to other methods.