POTENTIAL OF ZINC OXIDE (ZNO) NANOPARTICLES AS REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES FOR OIL-CONTAMINATED SOIL AND WATER

This research investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a photocatalyst for remediating oil-contaminated soil and water. The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using a green route with plant extracts and characterized using FTIR(Fourier Transform infrared Spectroscopy), UV-V(Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy) is spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of Zn–O bonds along with hydroxyl, carbon-carbon, and carboxyl functional groups. The UV-Vis spectrum exhibited a sharp absorption peak at 367–380 nm, consistent with ZnO’s intrinsic band gap energy, indicating effective light absorption properties. SEM images revealed well-dispersed ZnO nanoparticles with sizes ranging between 20 and 50 nm, while XRD patterns confirmed a crystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure, with sharp peaks at 2θ values of 31.7°, 34.4°, 36.2°, and others. The photocatalytic remediation tests demonstrated a high efficiency of ZnO nanoparticles in breaking down hydrocarbons in oil- contaminated media. In water and soil samples, degradation rates of up to 85–92% were achieved when ZnO nanoparticles were used in combination with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) under UV radiation. In contrast, conventional treatments yielded lower degradation efficiencies of around 50–60%. These results highlight the superior potential of ZnO nanoparticles as eco-friendly, efficient alternatives for hydrocarbon remediation. This study concludes that ZnO nanoparticles are not only highly crystalline and photoreactive but also effective in environmental applications, particularly in remediating petroleum hydrocarbon pollution. The results provide a strong basis for further development and scaling of nanotechnology-based solutions in environmental cleanup operations.