ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Photocatalytic performance of Pistacia khinjuk-mediated zinc titanate nanocomposite for anionic dye degradation

Naima Anwar, Raziya Nadeem, Adil Usman, Abid Ali, Muhammad Usama Younas, Ali Raza Kashif, Farasat Haider, and Rubab Shafique

Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan

E-mail: muhammadusama1619@yahoo.com

Received: 31 July 2025  Accepted: 6 December 2025

Abstract:

Water contamination with synthetic dyes from industrial, agricultural, domestic, and medical activities poses severe environmental and public health challenges. Photocatalysis has gained attention as an efficient, economical, and environmentally benign approach for wastewater treatment. This study evaluated the photocatalytic performance of a biosynthesized Zinc titanate (ZnTiO₃) nanocomposite prepared using Pistacia Khinjuk leaf extract. The photocatalytic efficiency of biomass, biochar, and nanocomposite was compared for the degradation of the Reactive Red 120 (RR120). The ZnTiO₃ nanocomposite achieved a maximum 94% degradation efficiency under sunlight irradiation. Kinetic analysis indicated that the degradation followed a pseudo-second-order model, with a correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.993. The nanocomposite was characterized using UV-visible spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. These results confirm the potential of Pistacia khinjuk-based ZnTiO₃ nanocomposite as a sustainable and efficient photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Pistacia khinjuk; ZnTiO3 nanocomposite; Green synthesis; Reactive red 120; Kinetic modeling

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04584-6

Chemical Papers 80 (5) 4757–4769 (2026)