ChitoZen: A Biochar ZnO-Chitosan Filter for Microplastic Reduction in Laundry Wastewater
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58954/epj.v6i2.431Keywords:
Adsorbent, Biomaterial, Biomass, Environment, MicroplasticsAbstract
The washing of synthetic textiles is a major contributor of microplastic fiber (MPF) release into aquatic environments. This study develops an innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly filter based on coconut shell waste–derived biochar modified with ZnO and coated with chitosan (ZnO–Biochar–Chitosan) for MPF reduction. The material was synthesized through biochar impregnation with Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, pyrolysis at 550 °C and immobilization with chitosan. Filter performance was evaluated using FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. FTIR analysis confirmed successful biochar modification, indicated by the presence of Zn–O functional groups (<800 cm⁻¹), O–H and N–H groups (~3400 cm⁻¹). Positively charged N–H groups enable electrostatic interactions with negatively charged MPFs in laundry wastewater. UV–Vis results showed a decrease in absorbance from 3.718 to 1.305 at 219 nm after 5 minutes of contact time, corresponding to adsorption efficiency of 64.9%. These results demonstrate the potential of ChitoZen as a household-scale MPF filtration system.
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