ArticleScientific reports2026
Photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene films using green-synthesized ZnO and Fe
Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
This study reports the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles using Acacia nilotica (L.) leaf extract and their application in the photocatalytic degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films in aqueous medium. Phytochemical screening revealed that A. nilotica leaves contained high levels of phenolics (298.21 mg/100 g) and tannins (53.33 mg/100 g), providing strong reducing and stabilizing agents for nanoparticle formation. The synthesized ZnO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles exhibited UV–Vis absorption peaks at 385.09 and 467.92 nm with corresponding band gaps of 3.22 and 2.65 eV, confirming their semiconducting properties. Dynamic light scattering showed mean particle sizes of 13.64 nm (PDI 0.172) for ZnO and 19.21 nm (PDI 0.309) for Fe3O4, indicating uniform dispersion and good colloidal stability. XRD and HRSEM analyses confirmed their crystalline, well-defined morphologies, while EDX verified elemental purity. BET surface areas of 216.81 m²/g for ZnO and 199.41 m²/g for Fe3O4 suggested mesoporosity suitable for catalytic applications. Photocatalytic degradation studies revealed substantial polyethylene breakdown after 30 days under sunlight, with LDPE weight reduced to 73.07% (ZnO) and 74.90% (Fe3O4), and HDPE reduced to 91.20% and 91.76%, respectively. FTIR spectra of treated films showed the formation of carbonyl, hydroxyl, and C–O functional groups, while SEM images displayed surface cracks and cavities indicative of polymer chain scission. EDX spectra further confirmed Zn and Fe incorporation with intensified oxygen peaks, evidencing oxidative degradation. These findings demonstrate that A. nilotica-mediated ZnO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles are effective and sustainable photocatalysts for polyethylene degradation, offering a promising route toward eco-friendly plastic waste management.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.