Lailatul Qomariyah, Annie Mufyda Rahmatika, Eli Hendrik Sanjaya, W. Widiyastuti, Tomoyuki Hirano, Tung Van Pham, Nicky Rahmana Putra
The bionanomaterial for wastewater treatment attracts interest due to it is nontoxic and biodegradable. However, it has limitations cause of the weak chemical interaction, narrow surface area, and reusability of this material. In this study, a novel bionanomaterial for wastewater treatment was developed using a nontoxic and biodegradable carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) base. To overcome the limitations of weak chemical interactions affecting its adsorption capacity and reusability, chitosan (CS) and ZnO nanoparticles with photocatalytic properties were incorporated. The resulting ZnO/CS/CMC nanocomposite exhibits dual functionality as a photocatalyst and adsorbent, enhancing the removal of methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. The material's morphology and physicochemical properties were thoroughly characterized using SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, BET, and DLS techniques. The molar ratio of ZnO (0.5–1.5) significantly influenced the nanocomposite's characteristics, with higher ZnO ratios producing a highly homogeneous spherical morphology and increased surface area. At a ZnO ratio of 1.5, the nanocomposite achieved outstanding photocatalytic performance, degrading 99.5 % of MB in just 60 min under sunlight irradiation. Additionally, the highest adsorption capacity of 4.66 mg g−1 followed the Langmuir isotherm model. This study highlights the enhanced MB removal efficiency due to the synergistic effect of ZnO particles and the supportive matrix. The developed material offers an eco-friendly, efficient, and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment, combining high performance with the benefits of biodegradability and reusability. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Department of Industrial Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia; Department of Bioresources Technology and Veterinary, Vocational College, Gadjah Mada University, Sekip Unit 1 Catur Tunggal, Depok Sleman, D.I. Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Semarang No. 5, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Kampus ITS Sukolilo, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia; Chemical Engineering Program, of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Hiroshima, Japan; National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Complex Cibinong Science Center–BRIN, West Java, Cibinong, 16911, Indonesia
