Physicochemical and photocatalytic performance of the synthesized RuO2-ZnO photo-composite in the presence of pectinose solution

Abstract

In this study, a simple and eco-friendly method based on a used pectinose solution is described for the fabrication of a RuO2-ZnO photo-composite at different annealing temperatures. Characterization of the phase structure, morphology, and elemental composition confirms that the synthesized RuO2-ZnOcomposite has a hexagonal wurtzite-type structure of the ZnO phase with three extra peaks related to the formation of the RuO2 rutile phase, delineating at the (110), (101) and (211) crystal planes. The SEM and TEM result of RuO2-ZnO at Tc = 700 °C has clearly revealed the formation of nanorods shaped. The hysteresis loop RuO2-ZnO was type H3 and in the range of 0.05–1.0 relative pressure which is representative of a mesoporous nanomaterial. The photocatalytic performance of the prepared photo- composite is evaluated for indigo carmine dye degradation under visible light. The photodegradation of the dye follows first-order kinetics and the rate constant is estimated to be 36.38 × 10−3 min−1 for RuO2-ZnO annealed at 700 °C. This work provides novel insights for the synthesis and formation of RuO2-ZnO photo-composites, which can be applied in photocatalysis for removal of the pollution of water.