Nanoparticle Embedded Graphene Oxide Cellulose Membrane for Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Water pollution is mainly caused by human activities such as industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, improper waste disposal, urbanisation, and oil spills. These activities introduce various pollutants into water bodies, including chemicals, heavy metal, pathogens, nutrients, plastics, and sediments. Water pollution causes a serious threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems. It can lead to the eutrophication of water bodies, algal blooms, habitat destruction and the degradation of water quality. Industrial wastewater, particularly heavy metals is one of the main sources of water pollution. Water pollution remains a boundless global crisis, with many countries have made progress in addressing it. However, there remains a need for more advantageous methods, with suitable material to treat pollutants. Currently, available water resources are being contaminated drastically by anthropogenic activities, primarily through industrialisation for product development. The combination of population growth with rapid urbanization has further contributed significantly to the contamination of accessible water resources, mainly through the discharge of untreated industrial effluents and run-off from agricultural fields. Additionally, individual behaviours, consumption patterns, and household characteristics significantly influence water usage. Sustainable development in clean water management and planning is essential for long-term benefits to society, and the environment. This can be achieved through wastewater treatment methods that reduce water pollution and preserve water quality. This study investigates the factors affecting natural water accessibility and addressing strategies for enhancing drinking water quality. It also explores the significant impact of industrial wastewater on water quality and identifies the types of water pollutants that cause environmental threats. This thesis aims to develop an innovative material for the adsorption of heavy metals. In this work, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were hydrothermally synthesised and embedded with Graphene oxide (GO), which was synthesised via a modified Hummers’ method. The nanoparticles were combined to create a composite, GO@ZnO by using the hydrothermal method. Moreover, a bio waste (cow manure) was used to produce nanocellulose fibrils (CNF) for developing CNF/GO@ZnO membrane or films. The ZnO nanoparticles synthesised with cationic (CTAB) and anionic (SDS) surfactants, along with GO, CNF, composites GO@ZnO, CNF/ZnO, CNF/GO and CNF/GO@ZnO films were used for the adsorption of cadmium (Cd (II)) heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. The CNF/GO@ZnO membranes demonstrated a promising adsorption capacity, highlighting their novel contribution to the field of wastewater treatment.