Biosynthesis of zirconia nanoparticles (ZrO2) by water hyacinth: characterization and its photocatalytic dye degradation activity

The green biogenic production of nanoparticles from natural sources is always desirable due to its minimal environmental effect. In this study, the generation of ZrO 2 nanoparticles from the aqueous leaf extract of Eichhornia crassipes was the major emphasis. It is a notable weed that poses a threat to aquatic life and the environment owing to its proclivity to cover the whole water surface and is a major environmental hazard. Synthesized ZrO 2 nanoparticles were characterized by using UV–visible, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Characterization methods validated the creation of ZrO 2 nanoparticles. Narrow peaks with sharp edges indicated a considerable rise in the zirconia nanoparticle’s crystalline index when XRD analysis was done on them. The nanoparticles were then utilized for treating wastewater containing industrial dyes, i.e., Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue. The results indicated maximum removal of COD, BOD, nitrate, and phosphate along with highest degradation of these industrial dyes. The removal efficiency of 72.63% COD, 73.06% of BOD, 84.64% nitrate, and 90.30% phosphate was obtained in wastewater. Moreover, the highest degradation of Methylene Blue and Methylene Orange was found at 40 ppm concentration using 0.02% of ZrO 2 nanoparticles. This study shows that biogenically produced nanoparticles were found to possess a great degrading capacity for treatment of Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue.