Solar photodegradation of malathion from aqueous media using Al-doped ZnO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite

Abstract

This study was conducted to boost the photocatalytic activity of ZnO by using Al:ZnO/Fe3O4 (MAZ) nanocomposite. Al-doped ZnO (Al:ZnO) nanoparticles and MAZ nanocomposite were synthesized using hydrothermal, chemical precipitation, and reflux methods. The most optimal nanomaterials in terms of characterization and photocatalytic degradation efficiency were 1.0 wt% MAZ and 1.0 wt% Al:ZnO, respectively. The suitable degradation efficiency by 2.0 g/L of 1.0 wt% MAZ nanocomposite and 1.0 wt% Al:ZnO nanomaterials under sunlight illumination and a duration of 180 min for the concentration of 50 mg/L malathion, was equal to 82 and 80%, respectively.