Preparation characterization and photocatalytic activity of SF-ZnO nanocomposite

Abstract

This article describes the fabrication of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) incorporating silk fibroin (SF) nanocomposite and its characterization. The optical, structural and morphological features of fabricated nanocomposite film were reviewed by using UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction measurement (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) experimental techniques. The UV–Vis absorption spectrum revealed presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the SF film with absorption peak at λ = 362 nm. The presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles in composite film was confirmed by diffraction peaks found at scattering angle at 2θ = 35.13°, 55.32°, 62.06°, 67.10° and 68.53° respectively. The FE-SEM study showed native SF has very smooth surface morphology, whereas the SF-ZnO nanocomposite film exhibited rough surface. The ZnO-NPs present in the sample were spherical in shape. Further, the photocatalytic activity of SF-ZnO-NCs film was evaluated by observing the photo-degradation of the textile dye methylene blue (MB) under UV-B light irradiation. The maximum degradation efficiency was nearly 84 % within 340 min. The results obtained suggested that SF-ZnO-NCs film could be used as a photocatalytic material in the treatment of textile waste water.