The use of the low-temperature sol–gel method for ZnO-TiO2 nanorods synthesis: structural analysis, morphology and photodegradation properties of methyl orange dye with benzoquinone scavenger

• Published in: Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society 2022-05, Vol.19 (5), p.2023-2030
• Main Authors: Rilda, Yetria, Pernando, Dhiki, Arief, Syukri, Syukri, Syukri, Refinel, Refinel, Agustien, Anthoni, Pardi, Hilfi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Anatase; Benzoquinone; Biochemistry; Catalytic activity; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cotton; Diameters; Discoloration; Dyes; Evaluation; Inorganic Chemistry; Low temperature; Morphology; Nanorods; Optical properties; Organic Chemistry; Original Paper; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Physical Chemistry; Sol-gel processes; Structural analysis; Textile fibers; Textiles; Titanium dioxide; Titanium oxides; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 1735-207X; 1735-2428
• DOI: 10.1007/s13738-021-02439-x

The photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) can be enhanced by co-doping it with titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) through a sol–gel process. The ZnO-TiO 2 composite is used to make modified self-cleaning textile fibers for methyl orange (MO) degradation. Therefore, this study aims to form the morphology of ZnO-TiO 2 nanorods with optical properties, crystallinity, and effective photodegradation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the ZnO-TiO 2 composite was successfully formed via the sol–gel method at 400 °C, yielding the hexagonal ZnO phase and the TiO 2 anatase phase. The ZnO-TiO 2 composition of the photocatalyst was evaluated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) detected morphology in the form of nanorods with a length of 2.1 µm and a diameter of 128 nm. The photodegradation capacity was evaluated against methyl orange (MO) dye on the surface of textile cotton using a photon source, namely ultraviolet (UV) light with wavelength λ = 385 nm at intervals of 0–240 min. The increase in the effectiveness of MO photodegradation in textiles was due to the ZnO-TiO 2 nanorods coating, which created a rough surface. This application can protect the textile fibers from being damaged and discolored by food and beverage dyes. Meanwhile, the optimum rate of MO dye photodegradation was based on the number of the reactive species of hydroxyl ( • OH) radicals and anionic superoxide ( • O 2 ) radicals released by ZnO-TiO 2 . Reactive species in the photodegradation process was measured based on the scavenger capture of ( • O 2 ) radicals, photo-induction holes (h + ), and ( • OH) radicals of p-benzoquinone (BQ) compounds with a concentration of 2 ppm and 5 ppm.