Development of Cu-ZnO ZrO2 based polyacrylonitrile polymer composites for removing pharmaceutical pollutants and heavy metals from wastewater
Abstract A new poly acrylonitrile polymer composite incorporating Cu-ZnO/ZrO2 was created and tested for its capacity to remove heavy metalsPb(II), Cd(II) and pharmaceutical pollutants (sulfamethoxazole and ibuprofen) from water using a combined approach of photocatalytic degradation and adsorption....
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95736-x |
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| Summary: | Abstract A new poly acrylonitrile polymer composite incorporating Cu-ZnO/ZrO2 was created and tested for its capacity to remove heavy metalsPb(II), Cd(II) and pharmaceutical pollutants (sulfamethoxazole and ibuprofen) from water using a combined approach of photocatalytic degradation and adsorption. The composite was fabricated by embedding copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) within a ZnO/ZrO2nanocomposite structure, supported by poly acrylonitrilepolymer. Material characterization was performed using FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, BET, and UV-Vis DRS techniques, showing a notable specific surface area of synthesized composite about 156 m²/g, pore size of 18.4 nm, and evenly dispersed nanoparticles measuring 20 to 30 nm on average. Under visible light exposure, the composite demonstrated photo-oxidation efficiencies of 85% for Pb(II) and 80% for Cd(II) within 120 min, with starting concentrations of 50 mg/L. For pharmaceutical contaminants, degradation rates reached 88% for ibuprofen and 90% for sulfamethoxazole under similar conditions. Adsorption isotherms followed the Langmuir model, with maximum adsorption capacities of 36.0 mg/g for both Pb(II) and Cd(II). Pharmaceutical pollutants showed lower adsorption capacities, with qmax values of 30.0 mg/g for sulfamethoxazole and 28.0 mg/g for ibuprofen. Kinetic studies indicated that the degradation process followed a pseudo-second-order model (R² > 0.98), and the composite retained 85% of its photocatalytic activity after five reuse cycles. These results highlight the prepared compositehas high efficiency and sustainability in eliminating both heavy metals and organic pollutants from aqueous environments. |
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| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |