Development of Zno/Cdo Incorporated Activated Carbon Composite for Efficient Phenolic Degradation in Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Water contamination has major negative consequences on both human health and environmental sustainability. The use of effective effluent treatment methods is required due to the pollution of water bodies by dangerous substances like phenol and its derivatives. In this study, the effectiveness of a new composite material made of activated carbon (AC) and ZnO/CdO is tested for phenolic degradation. Because of its porous design and high capacity for adsorption, AC makes it easier for organic contaminants to adhere to its catalyst surface, where they may then move to the photoactive ZnO/CdO surface and begin to decompose. XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDAX were used to clarify the structural and chemical characteristics of the synthesised composite material. With an emphasis on the composite's capacity to break down phenolic compounds when exposed to UV or visible light, its photocatalytic activity was assessed using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. It's significant that the addition of ZnO/CdO to activated carbon for phenolic degradation is a unique strategy for which there are few documented findings. The findings show the promising potential for effective phenol degradation by activated carbon incorporating ZnO/CdO. The composite material has better pollutant removal capacities due to the combination of activated carbon's high adsorption capacity and ZnO/CdO's photoactivity. This study addresses the urgent demand for sustainable freshwater resources by advancing our understanding of the features of the composite and emphasizing its potential for real-world use in wastewater treatment.