Metal Oxide Catalysts Research Articles

Electrooxidation of ammonia at high-efficiency RuO2-ZnO/Al2O3 and PdO-ZnO/Al2O3 mesoporous catalysts; an innovative strategy towards clean fuel technology

Ammonia is an ideal alternative of hydrogen with high hydrogen content and environmental safety but production of hydrogen from ammonia is deterred by developing active and affordable catalysts. Herein, we report PdO and RuO2 promoted ZnO/Al2O3 ternary materials as efficient and robust electrocatalysts towards AEO. Little weight percentages of PdO and RuO2i.e., 0.1 %, 0.5 % and 1 % are added into 20 % ZnO/Al2O3 via co-impregnation method followed by rotatory ball milling to achieve uniform morphology. Prepared metal oxide catalysts exhibited nanocrystallite sizes and mesoporous structure thereby enhancing the electronic and catalytic properties. Adsorption-desorption isotherms and BJH diagrams revealed mesoporous structure of the catalysts with nanosized pores endorsing high surface area. Electroanalytical techniques applied to study AEO using 1 M NH3 showed that the developed materials effectively electro-catalyzed the reaction observed in alkaline medium i.e. 0.1 M KOH. Varying scan rate indicated it as a diffusion controlled process offering high diffusion coefficient. Ternary metal oxides gave the promoted and improved catalytic output displaying high current density “j” (307 µA cm−2 and 742 µA cm−2 at 10 mV s−1) and low charge transfer resistance “Rct” (24.1 and 9.7 kΩ) with RuO2-ZnO/Al2O3 and PdO-ZnO/Al2O3, respectively. These electrochemical possessions are attributed to half-filled d-orbitals of Pd and Ru. In this way, PdO and RuO2 promoted ZnO mixed metal oxide electrocatalysts reported for the first time could be employed to accelerate high-performance efficient energy generating technologies.

The Effect of Metal Ratio and Precipitation Agent on Highly Active Iron-Manganese Mixed Metal Oxide Catalysts for Propane Total Oxidation

Iron-manganese mixed metal oxide catalysts with a range of Fe:Mn ratios were synthesised by co-precipitation using sodium carbonate and evaluated for total propane oxidation. The Fe0.50Mn0.50Ox catalyst was the most active, and this was due to increased surface area along with the formation of a Mn2O3 phase that was not present in the other catalysts. The effect of the precipitating agent was evaluated with the Fe0.50Mn0.50Ox catalyst, investigating preparation using (NH4)2CO3, K2CO3, NH4OH, KOH, and NaOH. In almost all cases, the activity of propane oxidation was increased compared to the Na2CO3-prepared catalyst, with the hydroxide-precipitated catalysts generally being more active than the carbonates. The NH4OH catalyst was the best performing and this was thought to be due to the formation of a highly active mixed defect spinel structure. Results demonstrate that highly active mixed metal oxide total oxidation catalysts can be prepared using abundant elements, and the choice of precipitating agent is important to maximise the activity.

Alcohol Solvent Assisted Synthesis of Metallic and Metal Oxide Catalysts: As-Prepared Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalysts for Low-Temperature Methanol Synthesis with an Ultrahigh Yield

Alcohol Solvent Assisted Synthesis of Metallic and Metal Oxide Catalysts: As-Prepared Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ Catalysts for Low-Temperature Methanol Synthesis with an Ultrahigh Yield

Carbon-Free, Binder-Free MnO2@Mn Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Reasonable design and feasible preparation of low-cost and stable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts with excellent performance play a key role in the development of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. A 3D porous superimposed nanosheet catalyst composed of metal manganese covered with MnO2 nanofilms (P-NS-MnO2@Mn) was designed and synthesized by rotating disk electrodes (RDEs) through one-step electrodeposition. The catalyst contains no carbon material. Therefore, the oxidation and corrosion of the carbon material during use can be avoided, resulting in excellent stability. The structural and composition characterizations indicate that the nanosheets with sharp edges exist on the surface of the wall surrounding the macropore (diameter ∼ 5.07 μm) and they connect tightly. Both the nanosheets and the wall of the macropore are composed of metal manganese covered completely with MnO2 film with a thickness of less than 5 nm. The half-wave potential of the synthesized P-NS-MnO2@Mn catalyst is 0.86 V. Besides, the catalyst exhibits good stability with almost no decay after a 30 h chronoamperometric test. Finite element analysis (FEA) simulation reveals the high local electric field intensity surrounding the sharp edges of the nanosheets. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the novel nanosheet structure composed of MnO2 nanofilms covered on the surface of the Mn matrix accelerates the electronic transfer of the MnO2 nanofilms during the ORR process. The high local electric field intensity near the sharp edge of the nanosheets effectively promotes the orbital hybridization and strengthens the adsorbing Mn-O bond between the active site Mn in the nanosheets and the intermediate OOH* during the ORR process. This study provides a new strategy for preparing transition metal oxide catalysts and a novel idea about the key factors affecting the catalytic activity of transition metal oxides for the ORR.

Catalytic pyrolysis of olive mill wastes towards advanced bio-fuels and bio-chemicals using metal oxide catalysts

Among the environmental challenges that Mediterranean countries have to address are the abundant amounts of olive mill wastewater (OMWW) produced by olive oil agro-industry, such as those found in Greece and Tunisia, which lead to significant land and water pollution. The most common disposal method of olive mill wastewater, includes storage ponds, where most of the water is evaporated, while the residual sludge (olive mill wastewater sludge, OMWWS) is sent to landfills. Fast pyrolysis of OMWWS was investigated as an alternative approach of valorizing this waste, leading to the production of high heating value biofuel (bio-oil). Extraction of polyphenolic compounds with bioactive properties from OMWWS was additionally explored in order to provide further added value to OMWWS, considered as a source of bioactively important polyphenolic compounds, prior its use as pyrolysis feedstock towards the production of green fuel. Pyrolysis of the treated OMWWS (after extraction) led to a considerable reduction of the bio-oil yield, however in both cases the bio-oil produced exhibits a very interesting composition (predominance of aliphatic hydrocarbons and small fractions of aromatic hydrocarbons and phenols) and sufficiently low oxygen content. Exploring the effect of either an acidic (ZSM-5) or a basic (MgO) catalyst on the yield and composition of the bio-oil produced during the catalytic pyrolysis of OMWWS we observed that yield and quality of the produced bio-oils strongly depended on the catalyst used. Thus, acidic ZSM-5 zeolite catalyzed cracking and aromatization reactions, resulting in a bio-oil enriched in aromatics, while basic MgO catalyzed decarboxylation of fatty acids yielding a bio-oil composed mostly of aliphatic hydrocarbons. In addition, Co-promoted catalysts (5% Co either on ZSM-5 or MgO) led to additional variation of bio-oil quality, mostly enhancing ketonization reactions. The effect of a series of Fe and Mn oxide catalysts, based on alumina, silica and magnesia supports, was also studied for the catalytic pyrolysis of OMWWS, mainly focusing on using low-cost catalytic materials. In addition, ferric oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, and silicon oxide, are among the major components of red mud, an effective catalyst used in the pyrolysis of OMWWS. All of these Fe- or Mn- materials exhibit very promising in situ upgrading of pyrolysis vapors (retaining organics’ yield and improving produced bio-oil). Most of these materials also tend to favor ketonization reactions, a more or less preferred route among the studied catalysts, which seems to mainly relate with their multifunctional (both acidic and basic) character.

Metal oxide composites for detoxification of chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant with enhanced catalytic activity under IR irradiation

Toxic organophosphate-based nerve agents have become the deadliest agents used in battlefields and terrorist attacks because even their small amounts can cause permanent damage, even after medical treatment. Various catalysts have been developed for the destruction of nerve agents. Among them, metal oxide nanoparticles have become one of the most widely studied materials owing to their excellent stability, high reactivity, and non-toxicity. Herein, we designed and synthesized a photothermally active metal oxide catalyst for the decomposition of DMNP consisting of SBA-15 containing MgO, which is deposited on GO, achieving unprecedented results. Under IR-LED irradiation, MgO@SBA-15@GO was an effective catalyst for the degradation of DMNP, resulting in a 15 min half-life (t1/2) of DMNP in EtOH. GO was employed to convert the absorbed light from IR irradiation to heat. This constant photothermal conversion increases the reaction temperature, resulting in a faster reaction rate without the use of an external heat source. Remarkably, MgO@SBA-15@GO showed no significant change in photothermal catalytic activity even after five cycles of reuse, demonstrating the high stability of the material. The material prepared herein performed well as a photothermally active heterogeneous catalyst for the degradation of DMNP under IR-LED light, indicating great potential for metal oxide catalysts used in combination with photothermal materials for catalytic decomposition of nerve agents.

Non-Noble FeCrOx Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Efficient NH3 Decomposition

Ammonia has the advantages of being easy to liquefy, easy to store, and having a high hydrogen content of 17.3 wt%, which can be produced without COx through an ammonia decomposition using an appropriate catalyst. In this paper, a series of FeCr bimetallic oxide nanocatalysts with a uniform morphology and regulated composition were synthesized by the urea two-step hydrolysis method, which exhibited the high-performance decomposition of ammonia. The effects of different FeCr metal ratios on the catalyst particle size, morphology, and crystal phase were investigated. The Fe0.75Cr0.25 sample exhibited the highest catalytic activity, with an ammonia conversion of nearly 100% at 650 °C. The dual metal catalysts clearly outperformed the single metal samples in terms of their catalytic performance. Besides XRD, XPS, and SEM being used as the means of the conventional characterization, the local structural changes of the FeCr metal oxide catalysts in the catalytic ammonia decomposition were investigated by XAFS. It was determined that the Fe metal and FeNx of the bcc structure were the active species of the ammonia-decomposing catalyst. The addition of Cr successfully prevented the Fe from sintering at high temperatures, which is more favorable for the formation of stable metal nitrides, promoting the continuous decomposition of ammonia and improving the decomposition activity of the ammonia. This work reveals the internal relationship between the phase and structural changes and their catalytic activity, identifies the active catalytic phase, thus guiding the design and synthesis of catalysts for ammonia decomposition, and excavates the application value of transition-metal-based nanocomposites in industrial catalysis.

Recent advances of computational studies on bioethanol to light olefin reactions using zeolite and metal oxide catalysts

Light olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, are important basic raw materials for chemical products, but their generation still rely on fossil fuel. In the context of carbon neutralization, carbon peaks, and the decrease of petroleum resources, the renewable source for bioethanol to light olefins (ETO) has attracted much attention. Computational chemistry methods provide a highly efficient way to tackle this challenge by conducting predictive calculations instead of try-and-error. This review summarizes the research progress of catalysts such as zeolites and transition metals in the ETO reaction. A diverse set of computational chemistry methods used in the catalysis are introduced. This review focuses on the relevant works at the intersection of computational chemistry and ETO catalysts. The deficiency of current computational chemistry methods for heterogeneous catalysis is highlighted. This review will be useful for future applications of computational chemical methods to design ETO reaction catalysts.

Low-temperature oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over NiV mixed oxides derived from LDH precursors

A series of NiV mixed metal oxide (MMO) catalysts were derived from the NiV layered double hydroxides (LDHs) synthesized by the constant pH coprecipitation method. The synthesis parameters, (i) Ni/V molar ratio and (ii) calcination temperature ( Tp), were controlled. The MMO catalysts were characterized by physicochemical characterization techniques and then tested for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP). The results showed that the calcination temperature affected the crystalline phase formation and grain size of NiO, as well as the activated temperature of propane, and the addition of V greatly regulated the activity and quantity of the surface oxygen species and improved the propylene selectivity. 4NiV-500 catalyst (Ni/V = 4, Tp = 500 °C) exhibited the best catalytic performance at low temperature (250 °C) with an initial propylene selectivity of about 70%. Therefore, it is an effective method to obtain NiV MMO catalysts with excellent low-temperature activity for ODHP, using LDHs as the precursors while controlling the appropriate amount of V and calcination temperature simultaneously.

A Review of the Catalysts Used in Propane Ammoxidation Reaction to Produce Acrylonitrile

Abstract: Background: Various catalysts were studied to synthesize acrylonitrile via propane ammoxidation. The catalysts used for this process can be categorized as antimony-based catalysts, molybdenum-based catalysts, zeolites, nitride material catalysts, and other catalysts. The catalyst which was proved to be an efficient catalyst among all other catalysts is the mixed metal oxide catalyst MoVNbTe due to its high selectivity and yield.

Adsorption-enhanced catalytic oxidation for long-lasting dynamic degradation of organic dyes by porous manganese-based biopolymeric catalyst

Improving the adsorption kinetics of metal-oxide catalysts is critical for the enhancement of catalytic performance in heterogeneous catalytic oxidation reactions. Herein, based on the biopolymer pomelo peels (PP) and metal-oxide catalyst manganese oxide (MnOx), an adsorption-enhanced catalyst (MnOx-PP) was constructed for catalytic organic dyes oxidative-degradation. MnOx-PP shows excellent methylene blue (MB) and total carbon content (TOC) removal efficiency of 99.5 % and 66.31 % respectively, and keeps the long-lasting stable dynamic degradation efficiency during 72 h based on the self-built continuous single-pass MB purification device. The chemical structure similarity and negative-charge polarity sites of the biopolymer PP improve the adsorption kinetics of organic macromolecule MB, and construct the adsorption-enhanced catalytic oxidation microenvironment. Meanwhile, the adsorption-enhanced catalyst MnOx-PP obtains lower ionization potential and O2 adsorption energy to promote the continuous generation of active substance (O2*, OH*) for the further catalytic oxidation of adsorbed MB molecules. This work explored the adsorption-enhanced catalytic oxidation mechanism for the degradation of organic pollutants, and provided a feasible technical idea for designing adsorption-enhanced catalysts for the long-lasting efficient removal of organic dyes.

Effect of boron species on carbon surface on oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

Carbon catalysts for propane oxidative dehydrogenation (PODH) can potentially replace metal oxide catalysts due to their environmental friendliness (greenness) and excellent catalytic performance. Biomass carbon materials have the advantages of being abundant in variety, inexpensive, and easily available, but their catalytic selectivity is relatively poor in PODH. Therefore, we report here on a boron-doped sisal fiber carbon catalyst, which showed excellent selectivity of propylene in PODH, excluding the effect of surface-covered B2O3 on the catalytic performance by hot water washing. The carbon material exhibited the best catalytic performance with a load of 2% (mass) and a calcination temperature of 1100 °C. At a reaction temperature of 400 °C, the conversion rate of propane was 2.0%, and the selectivity toward propylene reached 88.6%. The new chemical bonds formed by boron on the surface of the carbon materials had an important effect on the catalytic performance, as determined by XPS characterization. The BO groups affected the catalytic activity by inhibiting the generation of electrophilic oxygen species, while the BC content improved the selectivity toward propylene by changing the electron cloud density.

Ecofriendly Synthesis of Waste-Tire-Derived Graphite Nanoflakes by a Low-Temperature Electrochemical Graphitization Process toward a Silicon-Based Anode with a High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery.

Here, the successful transformation of graphitic carbon with a high degree of graphitization and a nanoflake structure from pyrolytic tire carbon black was demonstrated. First, amorphous carbon black with a porous structure was obtained after pyrolysis and simple preacid treatments. Subsequently, the carbon black was converted into a highly graphitic structure at a relatively low temperature (850 °C) through a facile electrochemical route using molten salt, which is ecofriendly and has high potential for large-scale graphitization compared to conventional incineration techniques. Moreover, we further improved the crystallinity and uniformity of the product simultaneously by directly mixing the metal oxide catalyst Fe2O3 with a carbon precursor. The mechanism of this metal-catalyzed electrochemical graphitization has been discussed in detail. To confirm their potential in practical applications, the as-prepared graphitized nanoflakes were used as conductive additives for silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries, which showed a performance comparable to those utilizing commercial Super-P additives, exhibiting an initial Coulombic efficiency of approximately 79.7% and a high capacity retention of approximately 45.8% after 100 cycles with a reversible capacity of 1220 mAh g-1 at a current rate of 400 mA g-1. Hence, successfully recovered waste-tire-derived carbon black utilizing a low-temperature Fe2O3-catalyzed electrochemical process opens a pathway in low-temperature graphitization toward a sustainable value-added application in the field of energy storage.

Heterostructured mixed metal oxide electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has attracted considerable attention lately because of the high energy density and environmental friendliness of hydrogen energy. However, lack of efficient electrocatalysts and high price hinder its wide application. Compared to a single-phase metal oxide catalyst, mixed metal oxide (MMO) electrocatalysts emerge as a potential HER catalyst, especially providing heterostructured interfaces that can efficiently overcome the activation barrier for the hydrogen evolution reaction. In this mini-review, several design strategies for the synergistic effect of the MMO catalyst on the HER are summarized. In particular, metal oxide/metal oxide and metal/metal oxide interfaces are explained with fundamental mechanistic insights. Finally, existing challenges and future perspectives for the HER are discussed.

Research Progress of Tungsten Oxide-Based Catalysts in Photocatalytic Reactions

Photocatalysis technology is a potential solution to solve the problem of environmental pollution and energy shortage, but its wide application is limited by the low efficiency of solar energy conversion. As a non-toxic and inexpensive n-type semiconductor, WO3 can absorb approximately 12% of sunlight which is considered one of the most attractive photocatalytic candidates. However, the narrow light absorption range and the high recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes restrict the further development of WO3-based catalysts. Herein, the studies on preparation and modification methods such as doping element, regulating defects and constructing heterojunctions to enlarge the range of excitation light to the visible region and slow down the recombination of carriers on WO3-based catalysts so as to improve their photocatalytic performance are reviewed. The mechanism and application of WO3-based catalysts in the dissociation of water, the degradation of organic pollutants, as well as the hydrogen reduction of N2 and CO2 are emphatically investigated and discussed. It is clear that WO3-based catalysts will play a positive role in the field of future photocatalysis. This paper could also provide guidance for the rational design of other metallic oxide (MOx) catalysts for the increasing conversion efficiency of solar energy.

Construction of Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Functionalized Ni(OH)2 for Selective CO2 Photoreduction

AbstractPhotoreduction of CO2 is a sustainable way of producing carbon‐neutral fuels. However, the development of robust catalyst for the selective reduction of CO2 to value‐added chemicals remains a challenge. Using a photochemical approach, encapsulation of nitrogen‐doped carbon and Ni(OH)2 is to form a hybrid (Ni(OH)2/NC) for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The as‐synthesized Ni(OH)2/NC catalyst exhibits enhanced selectivity and activity for CO production under visible light. A CO evolution rate of 14.93 μmol h−1 with 84 % selectivity is achieved, outperforming the bare Ni(OH)2 (8.51 μmol h−1 evolution rate and 45 % selectivity for CO). The structures and physicochemical properties of the Ni(OH)2/NC were carefully analyzed by various characterization techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Results suggest that the NC modification can modulate the electronic structures of Ni(OH)2, and thus consolidate the adsorption and activation of CO2. Furthermore, the interface charge transfer between photosensitizer and Ni(OH)2 can also be promoted after NC modification. As a result, the Ni(OH)2/NC catalyst exhibits superior activity for CO2‐to‐CO photoreduction. Moreover, NC‐encapsulated NiO (NiO/NC) was successfully prepared under the same conditions. This NiO/NC catalyst also exhibits enhanced selectivity and activity for CO2 reduction with visible light, suggesting the effectiveness of carbon‐modification for managing CO2 reduction. This work provides a new avenue to modulate the selectivity and activity of CO2 reduction over transition metal hydroxides or oxide catalysts.

A Laser-Induced Graphene-Titanium(IV) Oxide Composite for Adsorption Enhanced Photodegradation of Methyl Orange

Numerous treatment methods such as biological digestion, chemical oxidation, and coagulation have been used to treat organic micropollutants. However, such wastewater treatment methods can be either inefficient, expensive, or environmentally unsound. Here, we embedded TiO2 nanoparticles in laser-induced graphene (LIG) and obtained a highly efficient photocatalyst composite with pollutant adsorption properties. TiO2 was added to LIG and lased to form a mixture of rutile and anatase TiO2 with a decreased band gap (2.90 ± 0.06 eV). The LIG/TiO2 composite adsorption and photodegradation properties were tested in solutions of a model pollutant, methyl orange (MO), and compared to the individual and mixed components. The adsorption capacity of the LIG/TiO2 composite was 92 mg/g using 80 mg/L MO, and together the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation resulted in 92.8% MO removal in 10 min. Adsorption enhanced photodegradation, and a synergy factor of 2.57 was seen. Understanding how LIG can modify metal oxide catalysts and how adsorption can enhance photocatalysis might lead to more effective pollutant removal and offer alternative treatment methods for polluted water.

How Topological Differences between Two Oxide Surfaces Determine Selectivity—The Case of the Dehydra-Decyclization of Tetrahydrofuran

Production of butadiene from biomass-based tetrahydrofuran (THF) is explored as an alternative to the existing petroleum-based processes. Metal oxide catalysts have been shown to exhibit varying product selectivities when reacted with THF. Among those oxides, ZrO2 showed the highest selectivity for butadiene. In contrast, Al2O3 showed the highest selectivity for the competing retro-Prins products, C3H6 and HCHO. The reasons behind the varying selectivity across oxides are unclear. In this work, we employ periodic density functional theory and mean-field microkinetic modeling to investigate the mechanism of the reaction of THF to butadiene and retro-Prins products on t-ZrO2 (101) (dry and hydrous) and on γ-Al2O3 (110). Our simulations reproduce the experimental selectivity trends. High selectivity for butadiene is promoted by the presence of neighboring Lewis acid metal sites that facilitate E1cB hydroxyl elimination from a 3-butenoxide intermediate; on hydrous Al2O3; where such neighboring Lewis acid centers are not available, the butenoxide undergoes E2 elimination and retro-Prins products ensue. The THF ring opening is rate-determining on ZrO2, whereas the γ-proton elimination that yields the 3-butenoxide intermediate is rate controlling on hydroxylated Al2O3. We conclude that the local topology around the active site greatly influences the mechanism and selectivity.

Modulating surface cation vacancies of nickel-cobalt oxides as efficient catalysts for lithium-oxygen batteries

• The Ni-Co oxide (NCO) with cationic vacancies is developed by a facile approach. • The electronic modulation induced by cationic vacancies can enhance the electrocatalytic activity for ORR and OER. • The NCO-350-based LOB exhibits remarkable discharge capacity and cycle life. Rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) have received incremental attention owing to their high energy density and applicability to mobile devices and electric vehicles. However, the lack of robust, low-cost, and environmentally benign bifunctional catalysts is a major impediment to the commercial application. The introduction of vacancies is one of the effective strategies to enhance the performance of cathode catalysts for lithium-oxygen batteries, but the preparation is complicated. In this work, needle-like microsphere cathode catalysts of nickel-cobalt oxide containing cationic vacancies are constructed by controlling the annealing temperature. It is demonstrated that the presence of cationic vacancies can modulate the electronic structure of the catalyst, reduce the energy barrier for the oxygen electrode reaction, meanwhile enhance the bifunctional catalytic activity. Impressively, the nickel-cobalt oxide-based LOB with cationic vacancies exhibits large specific capacity (12205 mAh g –1 at 200 mA g –1 ) and good durability. This work provides worthwhile insight into the formation and catalytic enhancement mechanism of transition metal oxide catalysts with cationic vacancies, and to some extent, the creation of efficient and low-cost oxygen electrocatalysts for LOBs.

Synthesis of Ruthenium-Promoted ZnO/SBA-15 Composites for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye

Synthetic organic pigments like xanthene and azo dyes from the direct discharge of textile effluents are considered colossal global issues and attract the concern of scholars. Photocatalysis continues to be a very valuable pollution control method for industrial wastewater. Incorporations of metal oxide catalysts such as zinc oxide (ZnO) on mesoporous Santa Barbara Armophous-15 (SBA-15) support to improve catalyst thermo-mechanical stability have been comprehensively reported. However, charge separation efficiency and light absorption of ZnO/SBA-15 continue to be limiting its photocatalytic activity. Herein, we report a successful preparation of Ruthenium-induced ZnO/SBA-15 composite via conventional incipient wetness impregnation technique with the aim of boosting the photocatalytic activity of the incorporated ZnO. Physicochemical properties of the SBA-15 support, ZnO/SBA-15, and Ru-ZnO/SBA-15 composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption isotherms at 77 K, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The characterization outcomes exhibited that ZnO and ruthenium species have been successfully embedded into SBA-15 support, andtheSBA-15 support maintains its structured hexagonal mesoscopic ordering in both ZnO/SBA-15 and Ru-ZnO/SBA-15 composites. The photocatalytic activity of the composite was assessed through photo-assisted mineralization of aqueous MB solution, and the process was optimized for initial dye concentration and catalyst dosage. 50 mg catalyst exhibited significant degradation efficiency of 97.96% after 120 min, surpassing the efficiencies of 77% and 81% displayed by 10 and 30 mg of the as-synthesized catalyst. The photodegradation rate was found to decrease with an increase in the initial dye concentration. The superior photocatalytic activity of Ru-ZnO/SBA-15 over the binary ZnO/SBA-15 may be attributed to the slower recombination rate of photogenerated charges on the ZnO surface with the addition of ruthenium.