Synthesis and spectroscopic characterizations of zinc(II) oxide in nanosized range as a smart materials in treatment and recycling of wastewater

Abstract

The new reaction between zinc(II) chloride and glutaconic acid (C₅H₆O₄) was studied. The results indicate the formation of zinc(II) glutaconate complex with a molar ratio of metal to organic ligand (glutaconic acid) of 2:1 with the general formula [Zn₂(C₅H₄O₄)(Cl)₂(H₂O)₂].4H₂O. The infrared spectrum of the glutaconate suggested that the two carboxylate groups are bidentate chelating. The current study uses a thermal breakdown approach to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). The crystallite size was calculated using Scherer's formula, which was 54 nm. The degradation of hydrogen peroxide, or H₂O₂, solution was used to test the produced ZnO NPs' catalytic activity performance. The results showed that ZnO NPs could efficiently break down H₂O₂. The ZnO NPs' photocatalytic capabilities have been assessed using methylene blue (MB) and UV light in an aqueous solution, according to the data, 77% of photocatalytic degradation towards MB in 240 min occurs.

KEY WORDS: ZnO NPs, Methylene blue dye, Photocatalytic, Metal-glutaconate complexation.

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(2), 257-270.                                                              

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i2.6