SYNTHESIS OF PANI, ZNO NANOPARTICLES, AND THEIR NANOCOMPOSITES FOR ADVANCED PHOTOCATALYTIC TREATMENT OF ORGANIC WASTEWATER CONTAMINANT

Abstract

Clean water is essential but increasingly threatened by persistent pollutants like synthetic dyes and pharmaceuticals that resist conventional treatment. These contaminants pose risks to ecosystems and human health. Photocatalysis using light to break down pollutants offers a promising solution, especially with engineered nanomaterials. This study investigates the photocatalytic degradation of Methyl Red (MR) using PANI/ZnO nanocomposites for wastewater treatment. Thermodynamic analysis reveals the process is endothermic and spontaneous, with improved degradation efficiency at higher temperatures. Kinetic studies show second-order behavior, where dye concentration and catalyst surface interactions are key factors. Characterization via Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) indicate that ZnO nanoparticles embedded in PANI enhance charge separation, reduce electron-hole recombination, and increase surface area, optimizing photocatalytic activity. The findings underscore the importance of fine-tuning operational parameters such as pH, catalyst dosage, and temperature to achieve maximum efficiency. This study highlights the potential of ZnO/PANI nanocomposites for large-scale environmental remediation.