| Abstract Scope |
This study investigated the innovative use of waste snail shells for treating industrial paint effluent. Paint effluent, with its heavy metals, organic solvents, and suspended solids, poses significant environmental challenges. Nanomaterials, due to their high reactivity and surface area, offer promising wastewater treatment solutions. Calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles, synthesized from snail shells via the sol-gel method, were characterized using FTIR, DLS, and XRD. The nanoparticles, with an average diameter of 46.12 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.488, demonstrated high crystallinity and purity, as confirmed by XRD. SEM analysis revealed an irregular, granular morphology indicative of high surface area. Optimization using response surface methodology determined optimal treatment conditions: pH 7, 52.5 minutes contact time, and 5.5 g/L CaO-NPs dosage, achieving 98.11% contaminant removal. This study highlights the efficacy and sustainability of using waste-derived CaO nanoparticles for wastewater treatment, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness and potential for practical environmental remediation. |