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Nanotechnology

Nanocomposite Breakthrough for Efficient Removal of Chromium(VI) and Dyes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia have developed an innovative nanocomposite material that can efficiently remove chromium(VI) and anionic/cationic dyes from industrial wastewater. The new material, called chitosan/carbon/ZnMnO nanocomposite (Cs/C/ZMO), was engineered through a two-step synthesis process and demonstrated exceptional selectivity for Cr(VI) removal over competing cations. This breakthrough has significant implications for the treatment of industrial wastewater and the circular economy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cs/C/ZMO nanocomposite was engineered through a two-step synthesis process, involving hydrothermal conversion of zinc-carbon battery waste and subsequent chitosan integration via alkaline co-precipitation and epichlorohydrin crosslinking.
  • The material exhibited exceptional sorption capacities for Cr(VI), methyl orange, and methylene blue, with removal efficiencies of ~6.565 mmol/g, ~0.621 mmol/g, and ~0.790 mmol/g, respectively.
  • The material demonstrated pseudo-first-order kinetics, with equilibrium attained within 50-75 min, and retained ~88% capacity over eight cycles with 90% desorption efficiency.
  • The Cs/C/ZMO sorbent exhibited exceptional selectivity for Cr(VI) removal over competing cations in acidic tannery effluent, highlighting its practical utility.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

Statistics:

  • The Cs/C/ZMO nanocomposite exhibited sorption capacities of:

+ ~6.565 mmol/g for Cr(VI) at pH 2.5 and 328 K

+ ~0.621 mmol/g for methyl orange at pH 2.5

+ ~0.790 mmol/g for methylene blue at pH 6.0

  • The material retained ~88% capacity over eight cycles with 90% desorption efficiency.
  • The equilibrium for Cr(VI) removal was attained within 50-75 min, following pseudo-first-order kinetics.

Sources:

  • Chitosan/carbon/ZnMnO nanocomposite for efficient removal of chromium(VI) and anionic/cationic dyes. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025:146329
  • NewsRx. Data on Nanocomposites Detailed by Researchers at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University [Chitosan/carbon/ZnMnO nanocomposite for efficient removal of chromium(VI) and anionic/cationic dyes]. Nanotechnology Weekly. August 18, 2025; p 393.

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