Facile synthesis of ZnO/CuO/Ag2O ternary metal oxide nanocomposite for effective photodegradation of organic water pollutants

Abstract

The current study is focused on fabrication of a ternary metal oxide nanocomposite (ZnO/CuO/Ag2O) as an efficient and superior photocatalyst by step wise implanting of p-type of CuO and Ag2O semiconductors onto n-type of semiconductor (ZnO) via chemical method. The structural and textural characteristics of manufactured samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy combine electron dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of the fabricated ternary nanocomposite was tested against the photocatalytic degradation of Crystal violet (CV) and Rhodamine B (RhB) organic dyes under solar light irradiation. The ternary nanocomposite demonstrated about 99.05% and 97.38% degradation efficiencies for CV and RhB dyes under solar light irradiation in a time period of 105 min. The calculated rate constants (k, min−1) for degradation under solar light over the ZnO/CuO/Ag2O nanocomposite were 4.26 and 3.61 times higher than the k value obtained over ZnO nanoparticles for CV and RhB dyes, respectively. The main reactive species taken part in the photodegradation processes were •OH and •O2− over ZnO/CuO/Ag2O photocatalyst under solar light illumination. Further the recycle experiments confirm good reusability and photo-stability of ZnO/CuO/Ag2O ternary nanocomposite.

Plasmonic Ag/ZnO Nanoscale Villi in Microstructure Fibers for Sensitive and Reusable Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensing

“…For ZnO and its nanocomposites on planar substrates, hours of UV radiation are needed for photodegradation. 31 Therefore, the photodegradation activity of AZO-decorated SuC-PCF is greatly improved since the surface−volume ratio is quite large and the liquid volume is small in SuC-PCF. After rinsing with deionized water and fulfilling with CV solution again, the SERS signal can be fully recovered, indicating that both AgNPs and ZnO nanorods preserve their functionality.…”

“…Therefore, ZnO is considered to be the main cause of CV photodegradation. For ZnO and its nanocomposites on planar substrates, hours of UV radiation are needed for photodegradation . Therefore, the photodegradation activity of AZO-decorated SuC-PCF is greatly improved since the surface–volume ratio is quite large and the liquid volume is small in SuC-PCF.…”

Structural, morphological, optical and electrochemical characterization of Ag2O/ZnO and ZnO/Ag2O nanocomposites

“…The bulk band gap as Ag 2 O has a narrower band gap (2.84 eV) than ZnO (3.37 eV). The absorption intensity of ZnO is stronger than others in the visible region, suggesting an optimal electric surface charge of the oxide within the samples due to the introduction of the Ag 2 O which can possibly cause modifications of the fundamental process of electron-hole pair formation during irradiation [23,24].…”

Green Synthesis of ZnO/CuO Nanocomposites Using Parsley Extract for Potential In Vitro Anticoccidial Application

“…Figure illustrates the UV–vis absorption spectrum and band gap of ZnO/CuO NCs. The presence of a peak around 462 nm indicates the formation of ZnO/CuO NCs, whereas individual UV–vis absorption spectra of ZnO and CuO solutions exhibit peaks around 271 and 368 nm, respectively . The UV–vis spectral results clearly indicated that a strong red shift has occurred in the ZnO/CuO nanocomposite case in comparison with the pure ZnO nanostructure.…”