The
Z-scheme zinc molybdate/bismuth iron tungstate/reduced graphene
oxide (ZnMoO4/BiFeWO6/rGO, ZM/BFW/rGO) ternary
composite photocatalyst was prepared with rGO acting as an electron
transmission mediator. The physicochemical properties of the materials
were characterized by using a range of techniques such as SEM, TEM,
EDS, FTIR, Raman, BET, TGA, and UV–vis DRS. The optical properties
of the materials showed that ZM/BFW/rGO absorbed more visible light
than the pristine ZnMoO4 (ZM) and BiFeWO6 (BFW).
Thermal analysis showed enhanced stability of the ternary composite
due to incorporation of thermally stable ZM. The composite material
was used for photocatalytic degradation of 30 mg L–1 anthraquinonic acid blue 25 (AB 25) as the model pollutant under
visible light irradiation. A degradation efficiency of 98% was achieved
after 180 min degradation using ZM/BFW/rGO, while ZM and BFW showed
only 24% and 36% dye removal efficiencies. About 70% total organic
carbo (TOC) was attained with a ternary composite photocatalyst. The
enhanced degradation was attributed to the formation of a Z-scheme
between the two catalysts, visible light absorption, and the presence
of high rGO that aided in electron mediation and shuttling. The photocatalyst
also showed high stability with 89% removal efficiency after four
cycles of repeated usage. The results of this work provide an alternative
method for effective removal of dyes from wastewater and may be explored
for large-scale application in the future.
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