Photocatalytic reduction of nitrate in wastewater using ZnO nanopowder synthesized by solution combustion method.
ZnO nanopowder was synthesized by a unique method which is called solution combustion method (SCM). This nanopowder was used for a photocatalyst to decompose nitrate that is a toxic pollutant in wastewater. It has been known that TiO2, the most popular photocatalyst, does not decompose the nitrate. In this paper, however, the SCM ZnO nanopowder decomposed about 13% of nitrate. Furthermore, adding methanol as a hole scavenger, the decomposition rate was enhanced by about 5 times. On the other hand, it has been reported that the photocatalytic reduction reaction of nitrate produces ammonia as a final product. The present results, however, suggest that the final product is non-toxic nitrogen gas rather than the toxic ammonia. These results would be very valuable for drinking water purification.
Park
Sung
S
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin, Kyunggi 449-728, Korea.
Kim
Hee-Joon
HJ
Kim
Jong Soo
JS
Yoo
Kang
K
Lee
Jae Chun
JC
Anderson
W A
WA
Lee
Ju-Hyeon
JH
D002384:Catalysis; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000517:prevention & control; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D009566:Nitrates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D011208:Powders; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
D007220:Industrial Waste; D009566:Nitrates; D011208:Powders; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D015034:Zinc Oxide