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Sonochemical Modification of ZrO2 Nanoparticles with Thiamine Hydrochloride for the Development of Films with PLA for the Adsorption of Hexavalent Chromium
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PLA-based films embedded with thiamine-modified ZrO2 nanoparticles effectively adsorbed hexavalent chromium from industrial wastewater, demonstrating that biodegradable plastics can be engineered into functional remediation materials. This work supports the dual goal of replacing non-degradable plastics while simultaneously addressing co-occurring industrial contaminants that are frequently found alongside microplastics in polluted waterways.
Industrial wastewater can be reused in other everyday processes to help combat water scarcity worldwide. One contaminant in industrial wastewater is hexavalent chromium, which is highly toxic and can cause kidney, liver, and respiratory problems, making its removal vital. In this study, PLA-based films containing modified zirconia nanoparticles were developed via a solution-mixing process for hexavalent chromium adsorption. Obtaining the films involved two stages: the first was the chemical modification of ZrO2 nanoparticles with thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1) using fixed-frequency ultrasound at an output of 750 W and 50% amplitude for 60 min. The second stage involved preparing the films by mixing them in the solution using an ultrasonic bath. The nanoparticle concentrations were 0.25, 0.5, and 1 wt%. The results obtained from characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed the characteristic bands of PLA and the characteristic peak of the Zr-O bond corresponding to the ZrO2 nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the ZrO2 nanoparticles provided thermal stability to the PLA polymer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed a broad peak of amorphous PLA at 16.8° and signals corresponding to the crystalline phase of ZrO2. The morphology of a cross-section of the films was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing a rough surface with pores. Finally, hexavalent chromium adsorption tests were carried out, measuring the adsorption efficiency under the parameters of pH, concentration, and contact time. The PLAZrO2 sample achieved an adsorption efficiency of 83% at pH 2.
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