Effective removal of non-biodegradable methyl orange dye by using CdS/activated carbon nanocomposite as a photocatalyst

Abstract

In this study, CdS combined activated carbon (AC) nanocomposite was prepared by a simple method similar to chemical bath deposition method of thin film deposition. This prepared composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The photocatalytic activities of CdS/AC nanocomposite were examined by the degradation of methyl orange (MeO) under visible light irradiation. The photodegradation rate of MeO under visible light irradiation reached 78.92%. The effect of operational parameters i.e. pH of the solution, dye concentration, irradiation time, solar irradiation, and reusability of photocatalyst on the degradation rate of non-biodegradable azo dye in aqueous solution were examined. The best conditions for maximum photocatalytic degradation of MeO were found to be acidic pH, solar irradiation, and 40 ppm initial dye concentration. The CdS/AC nanocomposite showed the best photocatalytic activity, which may be due to an increase in the photo-absorption effect of AC and the cooperative effect of CdS.