Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were successfully synthesized via a simple one-pot chemical precipitation method and evaluated for their ability to adsorb bromophenol blue (BRB), a hazardous dye, as well as their antifungal efficacy against filamentous fungi. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), BET surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The UV-Vis spectrum revealed a distinct absorption peak at 375 nm, confirming the formation of ZnO with a bandgap suitable for photocatalytic applications. XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO with an average crystallite size of 47.2 nm. SEM and TEM images indicated irregular, aggregated particles with a porous morphology, averaging 65.3 nm in size. TGA demonstrated high thermal stability, with only 22.9% weight loss at 800 °C. BET analysis yielded a surface area of 9.259 m²/g, pore volume of 0.03745 cm³/g, and an average pore diameter of 9.87 nm, indicating a mesoporous structure favorable for adsorption.
The adsorption capacity of ZnONPs for BRB was investigated under varying conditions including pH, dosage, initial concentration, contact time, and temperature. Optimal removal efficiency was achieved at pH 4.0, where electrostatic attraction between positively charged ZnONPs and negatively charged BRB molecules dominated. The equilibrium time was established at 180 minutes, after which no significant increase in adsorption occurred. Adsorption isotherm studies showed that the Freundlich model best fit the data (R² = 0.9984), suggesting multilayer adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces. Kinetic modeling revealed that the pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.9495) provided the best description, indicating chemically controlled adsorption processes. Intraparticle diffusion also played a significant role, with a high R² value of 0.9889. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the process was spontaneous (ΔG° < 0), endothermic (ΔH° = 22.134678-17-4 supplier 173 kJ/mol), and entropy-driven (ΔS° = 74.Phospho-p53 Antibody manufacturer 02 J/mol·K), confirming favorable and random interactions between BRB and ZnONPs.PMID:34839416
In addition to adsorption performance, the antifungal activity of ZnONPs was assessed against three filamentous fungal strains: *Alternaria alternata* CGJM3078, *A. alternata* CGJM3006, and *Fusarium verticilliodes* CGJM3823. The results demonstrated strong inhibition zones, with maximum diameters ranging from 25.09 to 36.28 mm for *A. alternata* CGJM3006, followed by *F. verticilliodes* (23.77–34.77 mm) and *A. alternata* CGJM3078 (22.73–30.63 mm). These values were comparable to those observed with 5% bleach, a positive control, while sterile water showed no effect. A proposed mechanism includes Zn²⁺ ion release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, disruption of cell membranes, and interference with cellular metabolism. The synergistic combination of efficient BRB adsorption and potent antifungal action positions ZnONPs as a promising dual-functional agent for wastewater treatment, particularly in post-harvest disease control and environmental remediation.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com
