10.1186/2228-5326-3-5

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposites and their application as photocatalysts

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  • Md Ahsan Habib*1,
  • Md Tusan Shahadat1,
  • Newaz Mohammed Bahadur2,
  • Iqbal M I Ismail3,
  • Abu Jafar Mahmood1,
  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, BD
  2. Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, BD
  3. The Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, SA
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Published in Issue 2013-01-22

How to Cite

Habib, M. A., Shahadat, M. T., Bahadur, N. M., Ismail, I. M. I., & Mahmood, A. J. (2013). Synthesis and characterization of ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposites and their application as photocatalysts. International Nano Letters, 3(1 (December 2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/2228-5326-3-5
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Abstract

Abstract Nanocomposite ZnO-TiO 2 powders of varying ZnO/TiO 2 molar ratios have been prepared from their salt/compound by heating at 600°C and 900°C and characterized using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction techniques. The nanosized powders can decolorize/degrade brilliant golden yellow (BGY), an azo dye extensively used in textile industries, in water under solar irradiation. The effects of various parameters such as photocatalyst loading, molar ratio of ZnO/TiO 2 , pH of the solution, initial dye concentration, and irradiation time on the photodecolorization have been investigated. ZnO-TiO 2 nanocomposite (6 g/L) in the molar ratio of 1:1 or 3:1, prepared at 900°C, can efficiently decolorize about 98% of 20 mg/L BGY at pH of about 7 by 2-h illumination in sunlight. The initial dye decolorization follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. Finally, trial experiments were done using real textile wastewater to find out the effectiveness of the photocatalysts to a more complex system.

Keywords

  • Nanocomposite ZnO-TiO2,
  • Photocatalysts,
  • Dye pollution,
  • Solar photocatalytic decolorization
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