Photocatalytic Studies on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Doped with Selenium and Silicon Dioxides for Photodegradation of Lasix Drug

Abstract

Metal oxide nanoparticles have taken a broad area of intense research because of their unique properties and application in diversified fields. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles show varied morphologies and significant activities especially after doped with different metals. In this work, ZnO nanoparticles, Selenium dioxide (SeO2) doped Zinc oxide nanoparticles and Silicon dioxide (SiO2) doped Zinc oxide nanoparticles are synthesised by sol-gel method. The dopant effect on ZnO for band gap energy, crystal size and morphology are investigated by analysing the UV-DRS, powder X-ray diffraction and FESEM measurements respectively. The photocatalytic activities of these synthesised nanoparticles are compared by subjecting them into degradation of drug Lasix (furosemide) under UV and Solar irradiation sources. The progress of drug degradation is studied by measuring absorbance versus time interval at constant wavelength (325 nm) of the drug. The rate coefficient values found in this oxidative (H2O2) and reductive (NaBH4) catalytic degradation process of the drug is found efficient in solar irradiations. The results of characterisation studies and the order of photocatalytic activities of the nanoparticles are discussed.