Piezo‑Photocatalytic PLA Nanofibers Achieve 98% Dye Removal in Two Hours

In a breakthrough addressed to the textile sector’s water‑pollution challenge, scientists have integrated ZnO nanocrystals derived from natural sources into PLA nanofibers that respond to both light and mechanical agitation. When the composite film is exposed to visible light while ultrasonic waves vibrate it, a piezo‑electric field is induced, dramatically lowering electron‑hole recombination rates and increasing the generation of hydroxyl radicals.

Performance testing demonstrated that the hybrid membrane removed 98.6% of Methylene Blue and 96.7% of Congo Red in just 120 minutes of operation. The system also reduced the viable count of Escherichia coli by approximately 75% and Staphylococcus aureus by 71% after a six‑hour exposure, confirming its antibacterial capability. A machine‑learning framework was employed to model the influence of parameters such as catalyst dosage, illumination wavelength, ultrasonic frequency, and dye concentration, delivering predictive insight for real‑world scale‑up.

The research offers a low‑cost, biodegradable alternative to metal‑based catalysts and points toward a future where wastewater treatment plants can simultaneously address color removal and microbial safety using renewable energy inputs.