LED-enhanced photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium by Cu-doped ZnO nanorods: kinetic modeling, cost analysis, and toxicity assessment

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study unveils the synthesis and application of Cu-doped ZnO nanorods (NRS) as an efficient catalyst for the photocatalytic reduction of hazardous hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) in water. Synthesized via a simplified co-precipitation method, the NRS demonstrated enhanced performance, achieving an 89.35% Cr6+ reduction efficiency under optimal conditions. The catalyst’s performance was significantly augmented in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and revealed a first-order kinetic model. Radical trapping experiments highlighted the pivotal role of hydroxyl radicals in the photocatalytic process. A comparative analysis of the NRS with LED/ZnO and undoped ZnO underscores the superior efficiency of the Cu-doped variant. Moreover, the applicability of this system was validated in real water and wastewater matrices containing Cr6+, indicating its promising potential for industrial and environmental applications. An in vivo bioassay using Daphnia magna further confirmed the reduced toxicity post-treatment, underscoring the environmental friendliness of this innovative approach. The findings present Cu-doped ZnO nanorods as a promising, effective, and eco-friendly catalyst for the remediation of Cr6+ contaminated water, marking a significant stride towards sustainable and efficient water treatment solutions.