title: Photocatalytic degradation of humic substances in aqueous solution using Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles under natural sunlight irradiation.
abstract: In this study, Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated as an efficient synthesized catalyst for photodegradation of humic substances in aqueous solution under natural sunlight irradiation. Cu-doped ZnO nanocatalyst was prepared through mild hydrothermal method and was characterized using FT-IR, powder XRD and SEM techniques. The effect of operating parameters such as doping ratio, initial pH, catalyst dosage, initial concentrations of humic substances and sunlight illuminance were studied on humic substances degradation efficiency. The results of characterization analyses of samples confirmed the proper synthesis of Cu-doped ZnO nanocatalyst. The experimental results indicated the highest degradation efficiency of HS (99.2%) observed using 1.5% Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles at reaction time of 120 min. Photocatalytic degradation efficiency of HS in a neutral and acidic pH was much higher than that at alkaline pH. Photocatalytic degradation of HS was enhanced with increasing the catalyst dosage and sunlight illuminance, while increasing the initial HS concentration led to decrease in the degradation efficiency of HS. Conclusively, Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles can be used as a promising and efficient catalyst for degradation of HS under natural sunlight irradiation.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maleki
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran. Safari.m.eng@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Safari
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shahmoradi
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Yahya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zandsalimi
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Hiua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Daraei
authors.affiliation: Research Deputy, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Fardin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gharibi
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000592:standards; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010782:Photolysis; D012996:Solutions; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013472:Sunlight; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D060753:Water Quality; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D006812:Humic Substances; D012996:Solutions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Cu-doped ZnO; Degradation; Humic substances; Nanoparticles; Photocatalytic; Sunlight irradiation