PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF LAMBDACYHALOTHRIN (PYRETHROID) IN WASTEWATER USING ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLE

Abstract

Accumulating synthetic pesticides in the living system has brought about several critical alerts from researchers as it interferes with the essential processes in the body. Metal oxide nanoparticles possess suitable properties including band gap and have played an important role in the photocatalytic degradation of toxic chemicals in wastewater and the environment under natural solar radiation. This research aims at the photocatalytic degradation of Type II Pyrethroid Pesticide (Lambda-cyhalothrin) in wastewater and agricultural runoff using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles. The synthesized ZnO Nanoparticle (NP) was ascertained by characterization using XRD for material crystallinity and crystallite size, SEM, and particle size analysis for surface morphology and size. The EDAX spectra confirmed the presence of Zinc elements and showed that the synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were pure. The degradation experiment was conducted under natural solar irradiation. The initial and final/equilibrium concentration of Lambda-cyhalothrin residue were determined using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by computation of degradation capacity. Photocatalytic degradation of LCY was successful following the application of Zinc oxide NPs as nanocatalysts with an efficiency of about 87% as compared to the control. The synthesized Nanoparticle was found to degrade a large percentage of Lambda-cyhalothrin residue in wastewater. Exploiting its application in the remediation of pesticides in agricultural runoff may be crucial at this point.