Formulation of nano-zinc oxide into biocomposite beads for dye decolorization

Abstract

Zinc oxide nano-powder was prepared using sol-gel technique to be encapsulated onto polymeric blend composed from alginate and polyvinyl alcohol to fabricate novel bio-composite beads of nano-zinc oxide. The XRD patterns of both zinc oxide nano-powder and its polymeric hybrid were crystalline in their nature. The FTIR analysis of the fabricated ZnO polymeric hybrid confirms the binding between zinc oxide and the polymeric matrix. The BET analysis demonstrated that the calculated specific surface area of the formulated ZnO beads that equal to 22.8 m2/g is comparatively less than that of the free ZnO nano-powdered that equivalent to 64.9 m2/g. The thermal stability of ZnO nano-powdered dramatically decreased with its immobilization into the polymeric alginate and PVA matrix. The formulated beads had very strong mechanical strength and they are difficult to be broken up to 1500rpm. Moreover, this hybrid beads are chemically stable at the acidic media. The formulated ZnO hybrid beads verified to be good adsorbent material for C.I basic blue 41 (CB41).