Removal of Dye from Wastewater from

Textile Industry Using Nanotechnology

Executive Summary

The textile industry is a significant contributor to water pollution, with dyes being one of
the most persistent contaminants. Conventional methods of dye removal from wastewater
often prove inefficient. This project explores the use of nanotechnology, specifically zinc
oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, as a method to remove dye from textile industry wastewater.
ZnO nanoparticles, with their photocatalytic properties, offer a promising solution for
degrading and removing dyes. This report outlines the experimental setup, methodology,
results, and findings from the use of ZnO nanoparticles in treating synthetic dye-
contaminated water. Results show high dye removal efficiency, making it a viable solution
for industrial wastewater treatment.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ............................................ 4
2. Methodology ........................................... 5
3. Project Details ........................................ 7
4 design thinking ……………………………5
5. Results ...................................................... 10
5. Conclusion ............................................... 11
6. Recommendations ............................... 12
Introduction

Project Background

The textile industry is one of the largest sectors contributing to industrial water pollution,
particularly through the discharge of wastewater containing synthetic dyes. These dyes are
complex chemical compounds that are difficult to degrade, and their presence in water
bodies can lead to significant environmental damage, including harm to aquatic life,
disruption of ecosystems, and contamination of drinking water sources. Conventional water
treatment methods, such as chemical coagulation and biological treatment, have shown
limited success in removing these dyes effectively. This has driven the search for more
advanced solutions.
Nanotechnology, an emerging field that operates at the molecular scale, offers promising
solutions for tackling this challenge. By utilizing nanomaterials with high surface area and
unique chemical properties, dye molecules in wastewater can be adsorbed, degraded, or
filtered more efficiently. The application of nanotechnology in water treatment, specifically
for dye removal, has the potential to transform how industries address wastewater
management.

Objective

The primary objective of this project is to explore the use of nanotechnology in the removal
of synthetic dyes (azo dye) from wastewater generated by the textile industry. The aim is to
evaluate the efficiency of different nanomaterials and techniques in treating dye-
contaminated water, with a focus on improving water quality for environmental and
industrial reuse.

Scope

This project investigates the effectiveness of nanotechnology-based methods for the

removal of dye pollutants from textile wastewater. The study focuses on removing azo dye
as it is used 8p percentage in textile industry and aslo the study focuses on selecting
appropriate nanomaterials, testing their efficiency in dye adsorption and filtration, and
analyzing the treated water for improvements in quality. Additionally, the project will
assess the feasibility of scaling these nanotechnological solutions for broader industrial
applications.
Methodology

Nanotechnology Overview

Nanotechnology involves manipulating materials at the molecular and atomic scale,

typically in the range of 1 to 100 nanometers. In the context of water treatment,
nanomaterials can offer enhanced adsorption, filtration, and catalytic properties due to
their high surface area, nanoscale size, and tunable surface chemistry. In this project, zinc
oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are used for their photocatalytic properties, which help in
breaking down dye molecules in wastewater.
this method is used to remove azo dye which is used 80 percentage in textile industry

Materials Used

The primary material used in this study is ZnO nanoparticles. ZnO is a widely used metal
oxide with excellent photocatalytic and adsorption properties, particularly effective under
UV light for the degradation of organic pollutants such as textile dyes.

Process

The methodology for this project is structured into three main phases:
Phase 1: ZnO Nanoparticle Synthesis and Preparation
Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles: ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel
method, where zinc acetate dihydrate was dissolved in ethanol. Sodium hydroxide was
gradually added to adjust the pH, leading to the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. The
mixture was stirred and heated until the nanoparticles were precipitated, then collected,
washed, and dried for use in experiments.
Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles: The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were
characterized using techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) to confirm their size, shape, and crystalline structure.

Phase 2: Dye Removal Experiment

Batch Adsorption Study: A batch of dye-contaminated wastewater was prepared by
dissolving synthetic dyes (e.g., azo dyes) in distilled water to simulate textile wastewater.
ZnO nanoparticles were then added to the dye solution at different concentrations to study
the effect of nanoparticle dosage on dye removal efficiency.
Photocatalytic Degradation Using UV Light: The wastewater samples containing ZnO
nanoparticles were exposed to UV light to activate the photocatalytic properties of ZnO.
This led to the degradation of dye molecules, breaking them down into less harmful
components.
Agitation and Settling: The wastewater samples were stirred for a set period to allow
sufficient interaction between the dye and the nanoparticles. The treated water was then
left to settle, and the ZnO nanoparticles, along with the degraded dye, were separated.

Phase 3: Water Quality Analysis

Dye Concentration Measurement: After treatment, the concentration of dye remaining in
the wastewater was measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. This technique measures
the absorbance of light at specific wavelengths, correlating to the concentration of the dye
before and after treatment.
Other Parameters: The water was also analyzed for changes in pH, chemical oxygen demand
(COD), and total organic carbon (TOC) to assess the improvement in water quality following
ZnO nanoparticle treatment.
Comparison with Control Samples: Control samples (without ZnO treatment) were tested to
compare the natural degradation of dyes with the effectiveness of ZnO nanoparticles under
UV light.

Tools and Equipment

The following tools and equipment were used in the study:

UV-Vis Spectrophotometer: Used to measure the absorbance of the dye in treated and
untreated water samples, providing data on dye removal efficiency.
UV Light Source: Applied during photocatalytic degradation experiments with ZnO
nanoparticles.
pH Meter and COD Analyzer: Used to monitor water quality parameters, including pH and
chemical oxygen demand, before and after treatment.
Stirring Apparatus: Employed to ensure even distribution of nanoparticles during the
treatment process.

Project Details

Timeline

Phase 1: Research and Literature Review (2 weeks)

Phase 2: Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles (1 week)
Phase 3: Experimentation (3 weeks)
Phase 4: Data Analysis and Conclusion (2 weeks)

Tasks Performed

Literature Review and Material Selection

Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles
Experimental Setup for Dye Removal
Analysis of Treated Water
Data Collection and Interpretation

Challenges

Nanoparticle Stability
Optimization of Photocatalytic Degradation
Efficiency at Scale

Key Milestones

Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles

Completion of Dye Removal Experiment
Design thinking
1)Aeiou summary
2) ideation canvas :
3)EMPATHY CANVAS:
4)PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CANVAS:
5)LEARNING NEEDS MATRIX CANVAS:

6)MIND MAPPING:
Results

Dye Removal Efficiency

The experiments demonstrated that ZnO nanoparticles were highly effective in removing
dye from the wastewater samples. Key findings include:
Initial Dye Concentration: The dye concentration in the synthetic wastewater samples
before treatment was approximately 100 mg/L.
Reduction in Dye Concentration: After treatment with ZnO nanoparticles and exposure to
UV light, the dye concentration decreased significantly, with a removal efficiency of up to
90%.

Photocatalytic Degradation

The most efficient degradation occurred after 2 hours of UV exposure. Increasing the
exposure time beyond this did not significantly improve degradation rates.

Water Quality Improvements

pH remained stable at around 6.5 to 7.0.

COD levels decreased by 70%, and TOC by 65%, indicating significant water quality
improvement.

Comparison with Control Samples

Control samples retained over 85% of the initial dye concentration, demonstrating the
superior effectiveness of ZnO nanoparticles under UV light.

Visual Observations

The wastewater became significantly clearer post-treatment, with nanoparticle

sedimentation observed.

Limitations

Nanoparticle recovery and scalability remain challenges.

Conclusion :

The study demonstrates that ZnO nanoparticles are highly effective in removing dyes from
wastewater generated by the textile industry. The photocatalytic degradation process,
particularly under UV light exposure, proved to be a promising method for reducing
synthetic dye concentrations, achieving up to 90% removal efficiency. Additionally, the
water quality showed substantial improvements with reduced COD and TOC levels.
However, the scalability of this approach and the recovery of nanoparticles present
challenges that need to be addressed. Overall, ZnO nanoparticles provide a viable and
environmentally friendly solution for dye removal, indicating a significant step forward in
wastewater treatment technology for the textile industry.
Recommendations :

1. Nanoparticle Recovery Techniques: to improve the sustainability and feasibility

of this method, future research should focus on developing efficient recovery
techniques for ZnO nanoparticles post-treatment.

2. Scalability Studies: Conduct further research on scaling up this technology to

evaluate its effectiveness in real-world industrial applications and to determine
cost-efficiency on a larger scale.

3. Alternative Light Sources: Explore the potential of using alternative light sources,
such as solar light, to activate ZnO nanoparticles, which could make the process
more cost-effective and energy-efficient.

4. Testing with Real Industrial Wastewater: Conduct experiments on actual textile

industry wastewater rather than synthetic solutions to better assess the real-life
applicability and effectiveness of ZnO nanoparticles.

5. Evaluation of Long-Term Stability: Assess the long-term stability of ZnO

nanoparticles in various water conditions to understand their effectiveness over
extended periods and repeated usage.