New technology provides environment friendly route for treating dye-contaminated wastewater

Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali have developed a sustainable, machine learning-enabled filter to treat dye-contaminated wastewater. The technology integrates green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles, produced using turmeric extract, with biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers. By combining photocatalysis and piezocatalysis through light and mechanical vibrations, the PLA-ZnO nanofibers achieved high decolorization rates of methylene blue and congo red within 120 minutes, while also demonstrating antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. Machine learning was integrated to predict dye-decolorization behavior based on various experimental parameters.