Synthesis of ZnO/ZrO2 Nanocomposites by Electrochemical method and photocatalytic degradation of Fast Green Dye,Paper dyeing and Printing press Effluent

Abstract

In the present study, nano-structured ZrO2doped ZnO photocatalysts withhigh sunlight photocatalytic activity were successfully synthesized through theelectrochemical method. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized byPositron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), Powder X-ray diffraction,Scanning electron microscopy, Infrared spectroscopy, UV-Visiblespectroscopy and density measurements methods. The XRD data revealed thesize of ZnO/ZrO2nanocomposites as 12 nm. The PALS results showed thatthe defects are responsible for visible light absorption in ZnO/ZrO2nanostructures. Infrared spectrum revealed the formation of ZnO band around450 cm-1and 550 cm-1and 681 cm-1to the Zr-O bending and stretchingvibrations. The UV-Visible spectrum and Tauc plot revealed the band gap of ZnO/ZrO2nanostructure as 2.5eV. The sunlight photocatalytic activity of the prepared ZnO/ZrO2photocatalyst was investigated by the degradation of Fastgreen (FCF) dye solution and paper dyeing and printing press effluent. The photodegradation efficiency for ZnO/ZrO2and commercial ZnO were found to be 94.89% and 79.43% respectively, which indicates the higher photocatalyticactivity of ZnO/ZrO2nanocomposites.