Photocatalytic Performance of Green-Synthesized ZnO-ALE/PS Nanofilters for Methylene Blue Degradation

Abstract

This study evaluates the photocatalytic performance of ZnO/PS and ZnO-ALE/PS nanofilters, in which zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were green-synthesized using Aloe vera extract (ALE) and subsequently incorporated into polystyrene (PS) nanofibers. These nanofilters operate as a dual-function system, providing both a physical barrier for particulate retention and photocatalytic degradation of dyes under UV irradiation. The ZnO-ALE/PS filters exhibited enhanced dye removal efficiency compared to filters prepared with conventionally synthesized ZnO. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed a distinct shift in the absorption spectrum, with ZnO@ALE showing pronounced absorption near 210 nm, overlapping with the characteristic ZnO peak at 360 nm, suggesting plasmonic band contributions. Structural and compositional analyses by SEM, FTIR, and EDS confirmed the successful integration and morphological optimization of the nanofibers for water purification applications. These findings demonstrate the potential of green-synthesized ZnO-ALE/PS nanofilters as an efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly approach for wastewater treatment, with broad relevance in the fields of nanotechnology and environmental remediation.