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Photocatalytic dye degradation efficiency and reusability of potassium polyacrylate hydrogel loaded Ag@ZnO nanocomposite

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Abstract

The widespread use of nonbiodegradable synthetic dyes in various industries has led to significant toxic contamination and water pollution. The release of these dyes into aquatic environments poses serious risks to human health and ecosystems. To address this issue, rapid and efficient techniques for dye removal or transformation are required. In this article, we present a pioneering approach for the synthesis of a highly efficient photocatalyst material, PPAH/Ag@ZnO nanocomposites, for the degradation of organic dyes in wastewater. By integrating silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles within the potassium polyacrylate hydrogel (PPAH) matrix, a two-step method was employed to create stable and effective photocatalytic nanocomposites. The successful formation of PPAH/Ag@ZnO nanocomposites was confirmed through comprehensive characterization using UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. The photocatalytic performance of the PPAH/Ag@ZnO nanocomposite was evaluated for the degradation of o-toluidine blue (o-TB) and 4-bromophenol (4-Bph) under sunlight. The experimental results demonstrate that the PPAH/Ag@ZnO nanocomposite effectively degrades 98.77% of o-TB and 98.05% of 4-Bph. Moreover, the kinetics of the photocatalytic degradation reactions were investigated, revealing apparent reaction rate constants of 0.0229 and 0.018 min−1 for the degradation of o-TB and 4-Bph, respectively. Additionally, the reusability of the prepared PPAH/Ag@ZnO photocatalyst was evaluated over 5 consecutive cycles, demonstrating its exceptional effectiveness and stability. This innovative approach with hydrogel-based nanoparticles offers a potential breakthrough in the field of photocatalysis for addressing water contamination caused by organic dyes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Algerian Directorate General for Scientific Research, Technological Development-DGRSDT for financial assistance, and Laboratory of Biotechnology Biomaterials and Condensed Matter, and Researchers Supporting Project (RSP2023R160), King Saud University (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, El Oued University, 39000, El-Oued, Algeria

    Abdelhakim Boutalbi, Hamdi Ali Mohammed, Souhaila Meneceur, Laouini Salah Eddine & Gamil Gamal Hasan

  2. Laboratory of Biotechnology Biomaterial and Condensed Matter, Faculty of Technology, El Oued University, 39000, El-Oued, Algeria

    Abdelhakim Boutalbi, Hamdi Ali Mohammed, Souhaila Meneceur & Laouini Salah Eddine

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School, University of Seville, 41011, Seville, Spain

    Johar Amin Ahmed Abdullah

  4. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Fahad Alharthi

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  1. Abdelhakim Boutalbi
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  4. Laouini Salah Eddine
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  7. Gamil Gamal Hasan
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Contributions

Conceptualization was performed by HB and HGG; data curation was conducted by JAAA; formal analysis was done by HAM; investigation was performed by SM; methodology was provided by HAMM, HGG and SEL; project administration was did by SEL; resources were provided by FA; software was conducted by GGH and HAMM; supervision was done by SM, SEL, and GGH; validation was given by GGH; visualization was displayed by GGH and SEL; writing—original draft was written by HB, HGG, and HAM.

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Correspondence to Gamil Gamal Hasan.

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Boutalbi, A., Mohammed, H.A., Meneceur, S. et al. Photocatalytic dye degradation efficiency and reusability of potassium polyacrylate hydrogel loaded Ag@ZnO nanocomposite. Transit Met Chem 48, 353–363 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11243-023-00548-5

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