Green synthesized plasmonic Pd–ZnO nanomaterials for visible light‐induced photobiogas production from industrial wastewater

Abstract

Plasmonic Pd–ZnO nano photocatalysts synthesized via a green chemistry approach represent an innovation of visible‐light‐induced photocatalysis that can be applied for photobiogas production from organic dye pollutants. Different plasmonic Pd–ZnO nanophotocatalysts have been synthesized via green microwave‐assisted methods using orange peel extract as a capping agent by adding different proportions (3, 5, and 7 wt%) from Pd‐metal plasmons. This fast and green innovative method anchored well distribution of Pd‐metal plasmons (2‐5 nm) on the surface of ZnO (17–27 nm). XRD has investigated the nanostructures' crystallographic, morphological, and optical characteristics, XPS, TEM, UV–Vis DRS, and as.BET surface area analysis. A higher surface area data have been achieved by incorporating Pd plasmons from 9.2 m2 g−1 in pure ZnO to 16.9 m2 g−1 in 7% Pd–ZnO. The analysis of XPS spectra shows an increase of the lattice oxygen (OL) from 62.36% to 65.08%, suggesting an increase in the number of oxygen vacancies on the surface of the Pd–ZnO plasmonic photocatalysts that leads to enhancing its photocatalytic performance. UV–Vis optical spectra of the different Pd–ZnO photocatalysts reveal the visible light absorption capability due to the localized surface plasmonic resonance effect (LSPR). The photocatalytic activity of the obtained Pd–ZnO nanomaterials has been tested on the photobiogas production during the photocatalytic destruction of Reactive Yellow 15 (R.Y.) in two prototype photobiogas reactors, cylindrical UV reactor and a pilot‐scale CPC solar reactor, under nitrogen atmosphere. A higher yield of biogas (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) gases have been achieved by the effect of Pd plasmons on the ZnO photocatalyst.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Ti-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized by Rapid Combustion

“…Nevertheless, the low surface area also decreases the charge transfer affecting the recombination, which diminishes the photocatalytic performance [ 13 ]. To overcome this issue, several studies have presented various kinds of strategies to increase the surface area and reduce the recombination of ZnO photocatalysts [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. The application of ZnO doped with an alkaline earth metal, such as barium (Ba), was reported as the photocatalyst [ 14 ].…”

“…BaZnO exhibited a better photocatalytic performance than that of pure ZnO by around 1.4 times. The incorporation of Pd-metal plasmons into ZnO was presented as an effective way to improve the ZnO surface area [ 15 ]. The Pd-ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a green microwave-assisted method from orange peel extract as a capping agent with a Pd addition.…”

Viable production of hydrogen and methane from polluted water using eco-friendly plasmonic Pd–TiO2 nanocomposites

“…To prevent aggregation and reduce the size of the TiO 2 NP, it was indicated that the metallic Pd is evenly distributed throughout the TiO 2 matrix and on the surface. 23…”

“…2.4.2 Fuel-gas generation set-up. All prepared samples were subjected to the biogas generation efficiency test through employing a prototype as described by Mbrouk et al 23 The gas prototype A is a lab-scale UV reactor (ESI (S1) †), and the prototype concentrating solar reactor B is used under a nitrogen atmosphere for gas production. The photo-reactor A works with UV energy.…”

“…To prevent aggregation and reduce the size of the TiO 2 NP, it was indicated that the metallic Pd is evenly distributed throughout the TiO 2 matrix and on the surface. 23 XPS surface analysis was performed on TiO 2 P25, and 5% wt Pd loaded TiO 2 sample to investigate the Pd-metal content, Pd, Ti, and O (Fig. 3a-f).…”