Photocatalytic degradation of humic substances in aqueous solution using Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles under natural sunlight irradiation

Maleki, Afshin; Safari, Mahdi; Shahmoradi, Behzad; Zandsalimi, Yahya; Daraei, Hiua; Gharibi, Fardin

doi:10.1007/s11356-015-4915-7

Cited by 47 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…On the other hand, it has several drawbacks such as low quantum yield, the high recombination rate of photo-induced hole-electron pairs, and instability [20,27], which hinder its commercial applications [10,21,28,29]. To overcome these drawbacks of ZnO, many different approaches have been developed such as metal doping of ZnO [30][31][32][33][34], organic modification of the surface, and semiconductor coupling [35].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Synthesis of an Activated Carbon-Supported Ag and ZnO Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation and Its Antibacterial Activities

2020

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In this study Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs), ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs), and Ag/ZnO nanocomposites were greenly synthesized and loaded on activated carbon via three different routes: simple impregnation, successive precipitation, and co-precipitation. Neem leaf extract was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The morphological and structural properties of the synthesized nanocomposites have been examined using different analytical techniques such as XRD, SEM, FTIR, and UV. The antibacterial and catalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposites were examined and compared. The results showed that AgNPs loaded on activated carbon (Ag/AC) has the best catalytic activity compared to the other nanocomposites, which is attributed to the good dispersal of AgNPs on the surface of activated carbon. Furthermore, AgNPs showed the best antibacterial effect on eight out of 16 tested pathogens. Results also showed that the order of precipitation is an important factor, as both antibacterial activities and photodegradation activities were higher for ZnO/Ag/AC than Ag/ZnO/AC. Furthermore, the co-precipitation method was shown to be better than the successive precipitation method for 4-nitrophenol photodegradation and 14 out of the 16 antibacterial tests performed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Synthesis of an Activated Carbon-Supported Ag and ZnO Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation and Its Antibacterial Activities

2020

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“…The decrease in the particles size will increase the specific surface area and provide with larger active surface, which consequently would lead to a higher interfacial charge carrier transfer for photocatalysis. Cu ions doped with ZnO or TiO 2 have also been reported capable to enhance the methyl orange, phenol and humic substances degradation efficiency (Maleki et al, 2015 ; Zhang et al, 2015 ; Meshram et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance of Cu/ZnO/rGO Nanocomposite for Decomposing of Aqueous Ammonia and Treatment of Domestic Wastewater

Hou

Petropoulos

et al. 2018

Front. Chem.

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Photocatalytic removal of ammonium-nitrogen (NH4+-N) from water using solar energy is an approach of high interest and applicability due to the convenience in application. ZnO has a great potential in photocatalytic decomposition of NH4+-N and conversion of this nutrient to under visible light irradiations. However the applicability of pristine ZnO though is limited due to its reduced capacity to utilize light from natural light. Herein, we report a two-step ZnO-modified strategy (Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles, immobilized on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets) for the promotion of photocatalytic degradation of NH4+-N under visible light. UV-Vis spectra showed that the Cu/ZnO/rGO can be highly efficient in the utilization of photons from the visible region. Hence, Cu/ZnO/rGO managed to demonstrate adequate photocatalytic activity and effective NH4+-N removal from water under visible light compared to single ZnO. Specifically, up to 83.1% of NH4+-N (initial concentration 50 mg·L−1, catalyst dosage 2 g·L−1, pH 10) was removed within 2 h retention time under Xe lamp irradiation. From the catalysis, the major by-product was N2. The high ammonia degradation efficiency from the ZnO/Cu/rGO is attributed to the improvement of the reactive oxygen species (ROSs) production efficiency and the further activation of the interfacial catalytic sites. This study also demonstrated that such nanocomposite is a recyclable agent. Its NH4+-N removal capacity remained effective even after five batch cycles. In addition, Cu/ZnO/rGO was applied to treat real domestic wastewater, and it was found that chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies can reach 84.3, 80.7, and 90.3%, respectively. Thus, Cu/ZnO/rGO in the presence of solar light can be a promising photocatalyst in the field of wastewater treatment.

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“…Fig. 5 represents the effect of the initial concentration of humic substances (10,20,40,80, and 100 mg/L) on the sonocatalytic decomposition efficiency using MgO nanoparticles. The obtained results showed that increasing the initial concentration of the humic substances led to the reduced sonocatalytic decomposition efficiency.…”

Section: Effect Of Initial Concentration Of Humic Substancesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These substances constitute the main part of the natural organic matters (NOMs) in water resources (3). Many of the qualitative problems of drinking water, such as color, odor, and taste are attributed to the presence of humic substances (4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…So far, various methods, including adsorption (6), ion exchange (8), nanophotocatalysis (9), membrane (10,11) and ultrasonic technologies (11), electrocoagulation (12), coagulation and enhanced coagulation (13) have been employed for the removal of humic substances from water, among which the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been introduced as a suitable option for the removal or destruction of the humic substances compared to other common methods (coagulation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, and adsorption) (6). Synthesis of hydroxyl radicals with high oxidative power in AOP has caused these treatment processes to be known as one of the most practical physicochemical treatment procedures (14).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sonocatalytic Degradation of Humic Substances From Aquatic Environments Using MgO Nanoparticles

Soltani¹,

Safari²,

Rezaee³

et al. 2017

Avicenna J Environ Health Eng

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Humic substances are considered as one of the major natural organic contaminants in water resources. Presence of such substances in the drinking water supply resources results in poor water quality and jeopardizes the consumer's health. In the present study, sonocatalytic decomposition of the humic substances by using MgO nanoparticles was investigated under the radiation of the ultrasonic waves. Accordingly, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to determine characteristics of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, the effects of various parameters, including the amount of nanoparticles, initial pH, initial concentration of humic substances, contact time, as well as the power and frequency of ultrasonic waves on the efficiency of the sonocatalytic decomposition of humic substances were investigated. Results of the present study showed that the efficiency of sonocatalytic decomposition of humic substances was reduced by increasing the initial pH and initial concentration of the humic substances; while, the increased amount of the nanocatalyst resulted in the increased efficiency of decomposition. Furthermore, the obtained results indicated that the MgO sonocatalytic process could decompose the humic substances with the efficiency of 78.5% under optimal conditions (pH:7, initial concentration of humic substances: 20 mg/L, concentration of nanoparticles:1 g/L, power: 100%, frequency: 37 kHz and contact time:120 min). Based on the obtained results, the sonocatalytic method using MgO can remove humic substances and other similar organic matters from the aquatic environments with a high efficiency.

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Photocatalytic degradation of humic substances in aqueous solution using Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles under natural sunlight irradiation

Cited by 47 publications

References 36 publications

Green Synthesis of an Activated Carbon-Supported Ag and ZnO Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation and Its Antibacterial Activities

Green Synthesis of an Activated Carbon-Supported Ag and ZnO Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation and Its Antibacterial Activities

High Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance of Cu/ZnO/rGO Nanocomposite for Decomposing of Aqueous Ammonia and Treatment of Domestic Wastewater

Sonocatalytic Degradation of Humic Substances From Aquatic Environments Using MgO Nanoparticles

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