Sustainable production and characterization of ZnO–GO nanocomposites from waste Zn–C batteries for photocatalytic degradation of malachite green

Stanković, Sonja (author), Radovanović, Milan (author), Đorđievski, Stefan (author), Nedelkovski, Vladan (author), Markoli, Boštjan (author), Milić, Snežana (author), Antonijević, Milan (author)

In this study, ZnO–GO nanocomposites were synthesized from waste Zn–C batteries and used for the photocatalytic degradation of malachite green (MG) under UV light. ZnO–GO nanocomposites with different GO contents (1, 2.5, and 5 wt%) were prepared at room temperature and characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The GO content significantly affects the morphology, optical properties, and photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites. In the presence of ZnO NPs, a malachite green degradation efficiency of 96.25% was achieved in 90 min, while ZnO–1%GO, ZnO–2.5%GO, and ZnO–5%GO achieved 95.35%, 97.27%, and 99.6% MG degradation, respectively, in just 30 min. The photocatalytic degradation process of MG was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The effects of GO content, catalyst dosage, initial MG concentration, and irradiation time on the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation were investigated, and optimal conditions were determined. Under optimal conditions, a photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 98.51% was achieved. These results indicate that ZnO–GO nanocomposites synthesized from waste Zn–C batteries are efficient and environmentally friendly photocatalysts for the treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater.

• Language: English
• Keywords: recycling of Zn–C batteries, ZnO–GO, photocatalysis, malachite green, RSM
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 08.01.2026
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 1-28
• Numbering: Vol. 16, iss. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-177858
• UDC: 669
• ISSN on article: 2075-4701
• DOI: 10.3390/met16010071
• COBISS.SI-ID: 264067331
• Publication date in RUL: 17.02.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Metals
• Shortened title: Metals
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2075-4701
• COBISS.SI-ID: 15976214

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Projects

• Funder: Other - Other funder or multiple funders
• Funding programme: Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia
• Project number: 451-03-137/2025-03/200131
• Name: MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA