Abstract
A novel B-doped ZnO/TiO2 (B–ZnO/TiO2) nanocomposite photocatalyst was prepared using a mechanochemical–calcination method. For the characterization of the synthesized B–ZnO/TiO2 photocatalyst, XRD, FESEM-EDS, FTIR, UV-Vis DRS, BET, PL, and XPS techniques were used. The bandgap energy of B–ZnO/TiO2 was reduced, resulting in enhanced visible-light absorption. Significant PL quenching confirmed the reduction in the electron–hole recombination rate. Furthermore, reduced crystallite size and a larger surface area were obtained. Hence, the B–ZnO/TiO2 photocatalyst exhibited better photocatalytic activity than commercial TiO2, ZnO, B–ZnO, and ZnO/TiO2 in the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye under natural sunlight irradiation. The effects of various parameters, such as initial concentration, photocatalyst amount, solution pH, and irradiation time, were studied. Under optimal conditions (MB concentration of 15 mg/L, pH 11, B–ZnO/TiO2 amount of 30 mg, and 15 min of operation), a maximum MB removal efficiency of ~95% was obtained. A plausible photocatalytic degradation mechanism of MB with B–ZnO/TiO2 was estimated from the scavenger test, and it was observed that the •O2− and •OH radicals were potential active species for the MB degradation. Cyclic experiments indicated the high stability and reusability of B–ZnO/TiO2, which confirmed that it can be an economical and environmentally friendly photocatalyst.
Highlights
An unprecedented B–ZnO/TiO2 nanophotocatalyst was synthesized by the mechanochemical–calcination method
The synthesized photocatalyst exhibits a crystallite size of 42.54 nm, a BET surface area of 18.99 m2 /g, and bandgap energies of 2.89 eV and 3.06 eV
The noteworthy reduction in bandgap energy influenced the extension of optical absorption towards the visible-light region, and significant PL quenching in the B–ZnO/TiO2 photocatalyst spectrum confirmed the reduction in electron–hole recombination rate, which amends the shortcoming of TiO2 and ZnO
Summary
0.9λ/βcosθ, was used respectively (JSPDS No 36–1451) [23,26]. Peaks observed diffraction angle, is the full at width at half maximum. TiO2 combined, and theand intensity for selective peaks was decreased compared with pristine. 2 and the intensity for selective peaks was decreased compared with pristine TiO. ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposites showed the rapid removal of MB (~95% within 15 min) from water, which is considered a major breakthrough. Such a fast removal certainly strengthens the industrial application of the material for toxic dye removal from indusis considered a major breakthrough. The stability of the B–ZnO/TiO confirmed use in environapplication of the material for toxic dye removal from industrial effluents.
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