Abstract

Benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) are volatile aromatic compounds used in industries, however, they are hazardous when released into the environment. BTX degradation by Aspergillus niger cells combined with semiconducting zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles was explored in batch systems. Experiments were conducted individually for benzene, toluene, and xylene as well as in binary and trinary mixtures using A. niger cells-ZnS nanobiohybrids. The mechanism governing the removal of BTX by both A. niger cells and A. niger cells-ZnS nanobiohybrids were elucidated. Complete BTX degradation was achieved in 75 min and 60 min, respectively, by nanobiohybrids composed of chemical and biological ZnS nanoparticles in the presence of UV-A light at 1.83 * 1018 photons/second and 1.68 * 1018 photons/second, respectively. The removal efficiency was in the order of the molecular weight for A. niger cells, whereas for the light-driven A. niger-ZnS nanobiohybrids, the removal efficiency was according to the methyl group number. Further, the respiratory coefficient and volumetric mass transfer coefficient (Ka) values are higher for A. niger cells compared to the light-driven A. niger-ZnS nanobiohybrids.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.