Degradation of methylene blue through photocatalysis using synthesized ZnO/CeO2 nanocomposite catalyst

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an emerging multidisciplinary technology that has shown tremendous success in a variety of fields. Nanostructures have the potential to improve the physical qualities of traditional textiles in regions such as antibacterial capabilities, water repellence, dirt resistance, colour fastness, and textile material strength. Recent breakthroughs in nanotechnology provide chances to construct next-generation water supply systems by leapfrogging. Nanotechnology-allowed water and wastewater treatment has the probable to not only overcome fundamental challenges confronting current treatment technologies, but also to bring innovative treatment abilities that may allow for the cost-effective exploitation of atypical water sources to increase water supply. The present work focus to degrade the methylene blue (MB) was studied by a photocatalytic process in attendance of ultra violet irradiation using ZnO/CeO2 nanocomposite catalysts in a batch reactor. The reaction was kept at room temperature. The nano-composite catalyst was synthesized by co-precipitation method using Zn(NO3)2.6H2O and Ce(NO3)3.6H2O as main raw materials. The synthesized catalyst was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and BET surface area analyzer. After characterization, the catalyst was treated by degrade of methylene blue through photocalysis. The different process conditions such as weight of catalyst, reactant concentration, irradiation time and pH of solution were applied. The effects of energy source and oxidising agent were also investigated. The maximum removal of MB about 99% was achieved using this prepared catalyst.