Abstract
In this study, the synthesis of nitrogen-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles with a cabbage like morphology (N-ZnONCBs) by a hydrothermal method using zinc acetate dihydrate as a precursor and hydrazine monohydrate as a nitrogen source is reported. N-ZnONCB were characterized using UV-visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Fourier Transmittance Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and EDX elemental mapping. N-ZnONCBs were tested for their photocatalytic capabilities in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV-light and visible light irradiation for about 0 to 80 minutes and 0 to 50 min respectively. The N-ZnONCB catalyst demonstrated improved photodegradation efficiency (98.6% and 96.2%) and kinetic degradation rates of MB (k = −0.0579 min−1 and k = −0.0585 min−1) under UV light and visible light irradiation at different time intervals. The photodegradation study was also evaluated with different dosages of N-ZnONCB catalyst, different initial concentrations of MB and variation in the pH (3, 5, 9 and 11) of the solution of MB under UV light and visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation intermediate products were obtained by liquid chromatography mass spectra (LC-MS) and also complete mineralization was determined by using Total Organic Carbon (TOC) studies. This photocatalyst was also tested with 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) under visible light irradiation at different time intervals. Fluorescence and quenching studies were performed for the binding interaction between the N-ZnONCB catalyst and MB dye. A Zetasizer was used to find the charge and average size of the N-ZnONCB catalyst and also the charge of the N-ZnONCB catalyst before and after MB dye solution adsorption. The N-ZnONCB catalyst was also tested for its photostability and reusability with a percentage degradation rate of MB (93.2%) after 4 cycle experiments. These results have clearly demonstrated that the N-ZnONCB catalyst can be applied for the photocatalytic degradation of MB from wastewater samples.
Highlights
Developing countries need to advance their nancial growth by increased industrial activity due to their increase in population
The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) was investigated with NZnONCBs catalyst under visible light irradiation with various time intervals 0 to 50 min
The effectiveness of the photocatalyst was determined by using the plot of C/C0 vs. time with N-ZnONCBs catalyst, where C0 is the initial concentration of MB and Ct is the nal concentration of MB with based on degradation time t
Summary
Developing countries need to advance their nancial growth by increased industrial activity due to their increase in population. Such industries are the fundamental cause of water contamination. Industries such as the textile industry produce organic dyes and these dyes can no longer be removed by biodegradable methods without difficulty. Such dyes can be poisonous to aquatic organisms, plants and the human body. The removal of organic pollutants has been carried out with different processes, in which photocatalytic methods have been powerful and simple for the degradation of organic dyes.[1,2] Speci cally, Paper nanoarrows, nanoplates, nanotubes, nanowires, nano owers, and nanospheres for photocatalytic applications.[16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24] In addition, functionalized ZnO nanoparticles had been proven to have distinctive properties which include biocompatibility, a non-toxic nature, highly stability and good photo-catalytic potential.[25,26,27,28]
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