Photo-degradation of methylene blue dye using zinc oxide nanoparticles from citrus limon peel extract

Industrial waste containing organic pollutants must be managed using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. A range of synthetic dyes discharged by the textile industry poses a significant threat to environmental safety. The use of dyes has increased across various industries, including food, leather, textiles, paper, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. However, the improper disposal of dyes into the open environment has led to significant issues affecting human health, aquatic ecosystems, and animal life. The photocatalytic degradation method utilizing metal oxide nanoparticles is the preferred approach among various dye remediation strategies. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through a green synthesis method using Citrus limon peel extract, which serves as a reducing agent. Metal oxides are regarded as the best photocatalysts due to their beneficial properties, cost-effectiveness, and durability. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have garnered significant attention for their unique antibacterial, antifungal, and UV-filtering properties, as well as their high catalytic and photochemical activities. The objective of this work is to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles and characterize them using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. This paper highlights the role of the nanoparticles for eliminating the dyes from the industrial wastewater.