DEGRADATION OF METHYLENE BLUE UNDER SOLAR LIGHT USING QUARTZ – Bi2WO6 NANOCOMPOSITES

Abstract

Abstract-Photocatalysis is a catalytic oxidation process occurring on the surface of semiconductor photocatalyst materials by using the irradiation of light. It is applied as an effective, easy-operated with low cost to degrade the organic dyes pollutants. Quartz-Bi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites were synthesized by a co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The photocatalytic activity of QuartzBi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites was evaluated by degrading methylene blue under the sunlight irradiation, revealing that Quartz-Bi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites exhibit a good photocatalytic activity. The photodegradation of MB follows pseudo first order kinetics. The most suitable operation conditions of Quartz-Bi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites at a concentration of 0.20 g/L, irradiation time-180 min, dye concentration 10 µM. Quartz-Bi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites is an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants like MB under sunlight.