Microscopic nanoparticles dissolving antibiotics in water.

Linezolid Degradation: Can Nanotechnology Clean Our Water?

Kai Mendoza in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 3 min read.

"Exploring how barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles offer a promising solution for removing antibiotic pollutants from water sources."

The presence of toxic organic contaminants in environmental waters poses a significant threat to both human and animal health. These pollutants, often originating from industrial and pharmaceutical waste, require advanced treatment methods to ensure water resources remain safe for consumption and ecological balance.

Traditional water treatment techniques, such as chlorination, while effective at disinfecting water, can produce harmful byproducts. This has spurred research into more advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) that can eliminate organic contaminants without leaving behind undesirable residues. Among these AOPs, semiconductor photocatalysis has emerged as a promising approach.

Recent studies have focused on using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) as photocatalysts to degrade organic pollutants. However, modifying these nanoparticles with dopants like barium can enhance their efficiency. This article delves into the synthesis, characterization, and performance of barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (BZONPs) in the photocatalytic degradation of linezolid (LNZ), a widely used antibiotic.

How Do Barium-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Degrade Linezolid?

Microscopic nanoparticles dissolving antibiotics in water.

The research detailed in the original paper explores the creation and testing of nanoparticles designed to break down linezolid, an antibiotic that can pollute water sources. The process involves:

The ZONPs and BZONPs were created via a chemical precipitation method, ensuring precise control over their composition and size. These nanoparticles were then characterized using various techniques to confirm their structure and properties:

X-ray Diffraction (XRD): This technique confirmed the crystalline structure of the nanoparticles and revealed that barium doping slightly altered the crystal lattice of zinc oxide.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): SEM images showed that both ZONPs and BZONPs were uniform and homogenous, with a slight increase in surface area observed in the barium-doped nanoparticles.
Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX): EDX analysis verified the presence and distribution of zinc, oxygen, and barium within the BZONPs, confirming successful doping.
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): TEM provided detailed images of the nanoparticles, showing their size, shape, and dispersion.

The synthesized nanoparticles were then used to degrade linezolid under UV light. The researchers carefully studied how various factors affected the degradation process:

A Cleaner Future with Nanotechnology?

The study's findings suggest that barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles hold significant promise for addressing antibiotic pollution in water. By optimizing the synthesis and application of these nanomaterials, we can potentially develop more efficient and sustainable water treatment processes, safeguarding both human health and the environment. This research highlights the potential of nanotechnology to provide innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s42452-018-0114-8, Alternate LINK

Title: 5% Barium Doped Zinc Oxide Semiconductor Nanoparticles For The Photocatalytic Degradation Of Linezolid: Synthesis And Characterisation

Subject: General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Journal: SN Applied Sciences

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: V. S. Bhamare, R. M. Kulkarni, B. Santhakumari

Published: 2018-12-17

Everything You Need To Know

How do barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles actually work to break down the antibiotic linezolid in water?

Barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (BZONPs) degrade linezolid through a process called semiconductor photocatalysis. When exposed to UV light, the BZONPs generate electron-hole pairs. These electron-hole pairs then participate in redox reactions, breaking down the linezolid molecules into less harmful substances. The barium doping enhances the efficiency of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs), making the degradation process more effective compared to using undoped ZONPs alone. The increased surface area and altered crystal lattice due to barium doping facilitate better light absorption and charge separation, improving the overall photocatalytic activity.

What are the limitations of traditional water treatment methods compared to using barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles for removing antibiotic pollutants?

Traditional water treatment techniques, like chlorination, can create harmful byproducts, which poses risks to human health and the environment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as those employing barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (BZONPs), offer a more sustainable approach. BZONPs break down organic contaminants like linezolid without leaving behind undesirable residues, ensuring safer water resources. While chlorination primarily disinfects, BZONPs actively degrade pollutants, offering a more comprehensive solution for water purification.

What specific techniques are employed to characterize the structure and composition of barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles?

The study uses techniques like X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to characterize the nanoparticles. XRD confirms the crystalline structure and the impact of barium doping on the crystal lattice of zinc oxide. SEM provides images showing the uniformity and homogeneity of both zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) and barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (BZONPs), revealing an increase in surface area with barium doping. EDX verifies the presence and distribution of zinc, oxygen, and barium within the BZONPs. TEM provides detailed images of the size, shape and dispersion.

What are the potential long-term implications of using barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles for cleaning up antibiotic pollution in water sources?

The use of barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (BZONPs) to remove linezolid from water sources is a promising development. Effective degradation of antibiotics like linezolid can help prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. By reducing the concentration of these pollutants, we can safeguard aquatic ecosystems and protect human health, ensuring that our water resources remain safe and sustainable for future generations. Further research and development in this area could lead to more widespread adoption of nanotechnology in water treatment facilities.

Why is the chemical precipitation method important in the creation of zinc oxide nanoparticles and barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles?

Chemical precipitation offers precise control over the composition and size of the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) and barium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (BZONPs). This method involves carefully mixing chemical precursors under controlled conditions to form nanoparticles with specific properties. The control over size and composition is important because these factors influence the photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles, affecting their ability to degrade pollutants like linezolid. The chemical precipitation method allows researchers to tailor the nanoparticles for optimal performance in water treatment applications.