Synthesis of ZnO/Zn nano photocatalyst using modified polysaccharides for photodegradation of dyes.
A complete set of experiments in two aspects of studies combining the various factors affecting both the preparation and photocatalytic activity of ZnO/Zn nanocomposite obtained using corn starch and cellulose (native and modified) as chelating agents for the photodegradation of methylene blue, and congo red was carried out and discussed. The resulting ZnO/Zn nanoparticles obtained using modified polysaccharides exhibited super catalytic capability. The ZnO/Zn nanoparticles possessed favored surface area (11.8443-15.7100m(2)/g) and pore size (12.3473-13.7453nm). The photocatalytic degradation of nano ZnO/Zn was directly proportional to the surface area of nano ZnO/Zn. Regardless of the dye pollutants, nano ZnO/Zn obtained using modified corn starch showed enhanced catalytic activity than that of cellulose and methylene blue had comparatively faster degradation rate. Our findings shed light on the optimization of both preparation conditions of photocatalysts and their photocatalytic experimental conditions.
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taoyuan County 320, Taiwan.
Shi-Tsung
ST
Lin
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taoyuan County 320, Taiwan.
Munusamy
M
Thirumavalavan
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taoyuan County 320, Taiwan.
Ting-Yan
TY
Jiang
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taoyuan County 320, Taiwan. Electronic address: jflee@ncuen.ncu.edu.tw.
Jiunn-Fwu
JF
Lee
D002384:Catalysis; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010782:Photolysis; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
D004396:Coloring Agents; D011134:Polysaccharides; D015034:Zinc Oxide
Photocatalysis; Polysaccharides; SEM; Surface modification; ZnO/Zn nanocomposite