Carboxymethyl Tamarind Kernel Gum /ZnO- Biocomposite: As an Antifungal and Hazardous Metal Removal Agent

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were in situ mixed with carboxymethyl tamarind kernel gum to generate the new biocomposite. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS)were used to characterize the CMTKG/ZnO nanocomposites. Numerous characterizations were utilized to prove that ZnO NPs had been integrated into the biopolymer matrix. The standard size of the CMTKG/ZnO nanocomposites was developed to be greater than 32–40 nm using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and x-ray analysis de-Scherer methods. Chromium (VI) was removed from the aqueous solution using the nanocomposite (CMTKG/ZnO) as an adsorbent. The nanocomposite reached its maximum adsorption during 80 minutes of contact time, 30 mg/L chromium (VI) concentration, 2.0 g/L adsorbent part, and 7.0 pH. Further research into the antifungal activity of CMTKG/ZnO nanocomposites against Aspergillus flavus MTCC-2799 was conducted.