Simultaneous anionic dyes degradation via H2O2 activation using Zeolite 4A/ZnO/Fe2(MoO4)3 nanoparticles in a sono-photocatalytic process

Abstract

In this paper, a new sono-photocatalyst of Zeolite 4A/Zinc oxide/ Iron molybdate (Zeolite 4A/ZnO/Fe2(MoO4)3) nanoparticle was fabricated and used to decompose methyl orange (MO) and brilliant blue simultaneously (BB) dyes in the presence of ultrasonic waves and ultraviolet (UVC). The feature of the catalyst and its components was fully characterized. The results showed that the efficiency of the sono-photocatalytic process in the dye oxidation was higher than the photocatalytic and sonocatalytic processes. The synergistic effect of the sono-photocatic and photo-catalytic process for the MO and BB oxidation using Zeolite 4A/ZnO/Fe2(MoO4)3 was obtained 1.796 and 1.944, respectively. The active species of OH and h+ had a prominent role in the dye oxidation. Also, the Zeolite 4A/ZnO/Fe2(MoO4)3 catalyst was stable and reused seven times in the MO and BB decomposition. The ability of Zeolite 4A/ZnO/Fe2(MoO4)3 catalyst to treat actual wastewater samples was successfully explored. The by-products of purified wastewater were not toxic for the growth and germination of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Lens esculinaris. The studied photocatalyst removed dyes effectively in a reactor with ultrasonic waves and UVC.