Electrospun Nanofibers Embedding ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O Heterojunction Photocatalyst with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Nurafiqah Rosman,Ahmad Fauzi Ismail,Kazukiyo Nagai,Farhana Aziz,Wan Norharyati Wan Salleh,Syamsutajri Syamsol Bahri,Zawati Harun

doi:10.3390/catal9070565

Abstract

The immobilization of photocatalyst onto substrate has a great potential for energy-intensive separation to avoid the costly separation process and unwanted release of photocatalyst into the treated water. In this study, electrospun nanofiber composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with the immobilized ZnO, ZnO/Ag2CO3, ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O, and ZnO/Ag2O photocatalysts were prepared via the electrospinning process. The immobilized ZnO and heterojunctioned ZnO in the PVDF electrospun nanofiber were proven via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The electrospinning allowed high chemical binding of the nanofiber composite with good physical interaction between the photocatalyst and the electrospun nanofiber. AFM images obtained for the nanofibers were found to be rougher than that of the pristine PVDF electrospun nanofiber. Among the photocatalyst embedded, the immobilized ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O had endowed the nanofiber with an excellent photocatalytic activity and recyclability for the degradation of the RR120 under UV light irradiation. Based on the results, effective immobilization of ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O in PVDF nanofiber with 99.62% photodegradation in 300 min compared to PVDF-ZnO, PVDF-ZnO/Ag2CO3, and PVDF-ZnO/Ag2O of 28.14%, 90.49%, and 96.34%, respectively. The effective ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O immobilization into polymers with affinity toward organic dye pollutants could both increase the efficiency and reduce the energy requirements for water treatment via the photocatalytic application.

Highlights

In the last decades, the expanding use of synthetic dyes in many industries such as textile, food, leather, paper production, hair coloring, and agriculture has been noticeable, leading to increasing concern because of their widespread presence
3.2,3.2, 3.13, 3.08, and eV, these results proved that electrospun nanofibers embedded with photocatalysts were capable of these results proved that polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) electrospun nanofibers embedded with photocatalysts were capable undergoing thethe photocatalytic reaction
A series of PVDF electrospun nanofiber embedded with zinc oxide (ZnO) heterojunction photocatalysts with different Ag-based compounds were successfully fabricated via a facile electrospinning process

Summary

Introduction

The expanding use of synthetic dyes in many industries such as textile, food, leather, paper production, hair coloring, and agriculture has been noticeable, leading to increasing concern because of their widespread presence. As such, these activities compel the continual number of wastewater discharge [1]. Despite the concentration of the dye, oftentimes, the wastewaters are colored and turbid. As well as their breakdown products and myriad others, are mutagen and harmful to human health. Approaches to curbing issues related to these lethal organic materials are instigated, as the toxic materials are being released excessively.

Methods

Results

Conclusion