Carbon Nanodots and Their Performance in Powder and Coated Fabrics Forms for Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Industrial wastewater treatment and reuse are becoming increasingly critical due to growing freshwater scarcity. Because industrial effluents frequently contain organic dyes and other harmful pollutants, there is a pressing need for effective, abundant, and low-cost treatment methods. This work investigates steam-activated carbon nanodots (SAc CNDs) derived from date palm fronds for the removal of organic contaminants. These SAc CNDs were tested in both powder form and as fabric sheet coatings, offering practical and scalable treatment options. The adsorption performance was evaluated using several dyes, including methylene blue, crystal violet, brilliant green, and methyl green. These results are remarkable, especially considering the low-cost of SAc CNDs. This application shows great promise for industrial wastewater treatment, promoting both freshwater conservation and the sustainable repurposing of agricultural waste.