Novel Pd/ZnWO4 nanocomposite materials for photocatalytic degradation of atrazine

Abstract

In the present work, a new Pd-doped ZnWO4 nanocomposite materials have been synthesized via hydrothermal technique. Several characterization techniques for measure phase and composition of the prepared nanoparticles were used, and their structures were characterized and confirmed. In addition, the effect of Pd percent on physical and chemical properties of ZnWO4 has been studied in the form of Pd/ZnWO4 nanocomposites. XRD data confirm that the formed phase for pure ZnWO4 and Pd-doped ZnWO4 samples was in the form of Zinc tungsten oxide. A slight shift in the XRD diffraction peaks to high angle was also observed while adding palladium to ZnWO4. All samples showed comparable morphologies in the TEM images. About 62 nm pore size distribution was mentioned for 1.65 wt% Pd/ZnWO4 nanocomposite. The desired Pd/ZnWO4 nanocomposites have been also examined for the removal of atrazine using visible light assistance. 1.65 wt% Pd/ZnWO4 nanocomposite shows the highest photocatalytic activity as an efficient photocatalyst for atrazine degradation, due to its low bandgap, low e–h recombination rate, and high BET surface area. Furthermore, the advantages and limitations of the process in the selected application were evaluated. Concentration of atrazine, dosages of photocatalyst, and treatment performance which affect atrazine were discussed and evaluated as main operating conditions. The photocatalytic stability of 1.65 wt% Pd/ZnWO4 photocatalyst for atrazine degradation was intended for five times without affecting its efficiency.