Exploring the n-p type zinc oxide/copper oxide nanocomposite under Xenon light irradiation with enhanced photocatalytic activities for norfloxacin and methyl orange
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2024
Abstract
Metal oxides have demonstrated significant potential in water purification applications with the recent advancements in photocatalytic technologies. In this study, a ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was synthesized via a facile chemical co-precipitation method by successfully integrating zinc oxide and copper oxide semiconductors. The structural, compositional, and optical properties of pristine ZnO and the ZnO/CuO composite were comprehensively characterized. Under Xe light irradiation, the ZnO/CuO nanocomposite has exhibited superior photocatalytic performance, achieving substantial degradation of norfloxacin (NOR) and methyl orange (MO) within 120 min under optimized conditions. The degradation rates for 10 ppm concentrations of NOR and MO were calculated as k = 1.085 x 10-2 min-1 (99% degradation) and k = 3.849 x 10-2 min-1 (70% degradation), respectively. Kinetic analyses revealed that the degradation has followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and observed to be consistent with the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Scavenger experiments have identified h+, O2 center dot-, and center dot OH radicals as key species driving the photocatalytic degradation of MO, while O2 center dot- primarily governed NOR degradation. In addition, the ZnO/CuO composite has maintained high photocatalytic efficiency after ten reuse cycles. These findings suggest that the ZnO/CuO nanocomposite is a promising candidate for the photocatalytic treatment of water contaminated with NOR and MO pollutants.
Divisions
nanotechnology
Funders
Universiti Sains Malaysia (R501-LR-RN D003-0000000745-0000)
Publication Title
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
Volume
35
Issue
32
Publisher
Springer
Publisher Location
VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS