Nano sized ZnO composites: Preparation, characterization and application as photocatalysts for degradation of AB92 azo dye

• Published in: Materials science in semiconductor processing 2014-05, Vol.21, p.167-179
• Main Authors: Mohaghegh, Neda, Tasviri, Mahboubeh, Rahimi, Esmail, Gholami, Mohammad Reza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid Blue 92; Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalysts; Catalysts: preparations and properties; Chemistry; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Dyes; Exact sciences and technology; Fractures; General and physical chemistry; Irradiation; Materials science; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Mordenite zeolite; Nanocomposites; Nanopowders; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations; Photocatalysis; Physics; Precipitation; Semiconductors; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Zinc oxide; ZnO nanoparticles
• ISSN: 1369-8001; 1873-4081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2013.12.023

ZnO and Mordenite zeolite (MOR) nanoparticles were prepared by precipitation process using ultrasonic irradiation and hydrothermal method, respectively. Supported ZnO catalysts were prepared and the effect of different supports on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles was investigated. All prepared samples were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform-Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis) and BET surface area technique. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts was elucidated using the photo-oxidation of Acid Blue 92 (AB92) as a hazardous pollutant under UV light. The effect of different parameters such as catalyst concentration, initial dye concentration, pH, UV irradiation and amount of ZnO loaded on the nanocomposites have been examined on the yield and the rate of photocatalytic degradation process. The photodegradation results of AB92 in aqueous medium under UV irradiation revealed that nanocomposite of ZnO and mordenite zeolite exhibit much higher photocatalytic activity than the other nanocomposites and pure ZnO. It was found that the type of support plays an important role in photocatalytic oxidation of AB92 and significantly improved the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) for dye solutions were examined at regular intervals and gave a good idea about mineralization of the dye.