Synergistic photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye using novel medical waste-derived carbon/ZnO composite: A study on toxicological assessment

Abstract

The discharge of crystal violet (CV) dye effluents from textile sectors is a significant concern, as these pollutants not only diminish the aesthetic appeal of water bodies but also impede light penetration, thereby disrupting aquatic ecology. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased usage of disposable face masks, further contributing to medical waste in the environment. In this state-of-the-art study, the aim was to develop a photocatalyst material using medical-waste-derived carbon (MWC) as a support matrix for zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, facilitating the photocatalytic degradation of CV dye via persulfate (PS) activation. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were used to analyze the crystalline and chemical bonding properties of the synthesized photocatalysts, whilst field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping were employed to examine the samples’ surface morphology and composition. The UV–vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to confirm the optical properties of the photocatalysts. The degradation analyses showed that the MWC/ZnO nanocomposite achieved a higher degradation efficiency of 94.4%, with a reusability performance of 91.0% in the fifth cycle. Toxicology assessment was performed using seedling Vigna mungo plants and zebrafish, which revealed significant developmental deformities in the embryos and adults of zebrafish treated with the CV solution, but not when grown with the degraded CV solution or water, supporting the non-toxic nature of the degraded dye water. Therefore, the proposed MWC/ZnO nanocomposite could be suggested as a potential catalyst for CV dye degradation and an ideal solution for both aquatic and medical waste pollutants.