Summary
The paper proposes a systems thinking hierarchical model to foster students’ higher order thinking skills. The model includes three successive levels; analysis, synthesis, and implementation. Based on this model, authors propose a safe, convenient, and reliable two sessions laboratory experiment in which students synthesize magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) using plant-derived potato extract as a green reaction medium and as both reducing and stabilizing agent. This synthetic experiment gives students an introduction and hands on experience to nanotechnology through nanoparticle synthesis. The synthesis of MNPs follows ethical rules and sustainable principles such as use of efficient, cost-effective, safe, and clean raw materials and use of plant-derived reducing agent. The synthesized MNPs are effectively utilized in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye under ultrasonic radiation and using H2O2 as an oxidant. This experiment is a practical application of nanotechnology in wastewater treatment, thereby reinforcing basic chemical principles and instrumentation techniques (such as FT-IR and UV–vis spectrophotometry) through environmental remediation. Further, the recyclability of MNPs was tested in successive runs. The MNPs were reused for four consecutive runs; thus, recycling and sustainability will be conceptualized by students. It is suggested that the loop can be closed by degrading MNPs via various methods. The experiments will help in stimulating system thinking that takes note of the desired and possible impacts of methods and products at every stage starting from the sourcing of reactants to the final step of recycling.
According to proposed systems thinking hierarchical model the experiment is developed in three levels:
Level 1 (Analysis): The approach begins with identification of the system and its components, which in our case is hydrosphere and water, respectively. This level also includes cyclic thinking which describes the interrelationship of the present hydrosphere system with other earth’s systems such as the atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. At this level, a reductionist approach has also been applied to define a boundary of the system to make the investigation manageable. Hence, authors restricted their studies on the degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater.
Levels 2 and 3 (Synthesis and Implementation): The degradation of organic pollutants can be carried out by means of a catalyst, which should be synthesized using a systems thinking approach, according to which materials and processes must be thoroughly evaluated, throughout their life cycle, to assess their impact on environmental and biological entities. Hence, in the present case, we emphasized designing a sustainable catalyst that can be synthesized using renewable raw materials, possesses excellent degradation capability, and can be easily recovered and recycled for successive runs. A complete life cycle inventory and assessment of the catalyst was also performed starting from considering the origin of materials to its fabrication procedure followed by its application in catalytic degradation of RhB and finally its recyclability.
Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
The paper deals with systems thinking.
According authors’ view, systems thinking describes the life cycle analysis of a material; starting from the origin of its feedstock, to its manufacturing process and finally to its use, reuse, and disposal. It also drives an intellectual reasoning toward its impact on society, humankind, economy, and environment during its entire life span.
