Binary Zn-Doped SnO₂/Al₂O₃ Nanotube Composites for Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Basic Blue 41

Abstract

Binary Zn-doped SnO2/Al2O3 nanotube (NT) composites were synthesized for visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of Basic Blue 41 (BB41) through an environmentally friendly and low-cost liquid phase deposition (LPD) process. The results indicated that Zn-doping with SnO2 nanotubes and coupling with alumina membranes could improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency under present conditions. In this research, the synthesized Zn-doped SnO2/Al2O3 NT composites demonstrated higher photocatalytic activity than that of alumina membranes, SnO2 NTs, Zn:SnO2 NTs, and SnO2/Al2O3 NT composites. This result can be attributed to the large specific area, wide visible-light absorption range, the band gap narrowed by Zn-doping, and efficient electron–hole separation properties of Zn-doped SnO2/Al2O3 NT composites. On the basis of the results, the synthesized binary nanocomposites possess a great potential for use in the degradation of BB41 dye under visible-light irradiation and meet the requirements for future industrial pollution cleanup operations.

Supported nanostructured photocatalysts: the role of support-photocatalyst interactions

“…It is an attractive and a better alternative to the conventional powder nanophotocatalysts in water purification [147][148][149][150][151]. Using this strategy, different authors reported Al 2 O 3 -based photocatalytic membranes for the removal of dyes [147,152], pharmaceuticals [153] and Reprinted with permission from [156] heavy metals [154], and even for virus inactivation [155]. Nevertheless, the design of such ceramic nanocomposite membranes requires precise control over the modification of alumina's surface (using coating techniques like spincoating, drop-casting, and atomic layer deposition) to allow uniform deposition and high photocatalytic performance without hindering or affecting water permeability [141,144,155].…”

Photocatalytic degradation of Basic Blue 41 dye under visible light over SrTiO3/Ag3PO4 hetero‐nanostructures

“…Because of their quantum confinement effects and a high‐specific surface area, one‐dimensional nanostructures can provide a large number of surface‐reactive sites for photocatalytic reactions, high light absorption efficiency, and directional transport of photogenerated charge carriers. Thus, they are useful for enhancing photocatalytic performance, as reported in our previous works 2,14,15 …”

“…1 One of the most dangerous dyes is Basic Blue 41 (BB 41), which is typically used for dyeing silk, wool, cotton, and acrylic. 2 This dye is potentially fatal to living organisms as it may cause respiratory irritation, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive perspiration, methemoglobinemia, and mental disorientation. 3 Thus, many scientific and technological efforts have been devoted to achieving effective strategies for treating wastewater containing dyes in recent decades.…”

“…Such dyes are carcinogenic and toxic and often have complex aromatic structures that are resistant to degradation 1 . One of the most dangerous dyes is Basic Blue 41 (BB 41), which is typically used for dyeing silk, wool, cotton, and acrylic 2 . This dye is potentially fatal to living organisms as it may cause respiratory irritation, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive perspiration, methemoglobinemia, and mental disorientation 3 .…”

Tin oxide based nanostructured materials: synthesis and potential applications

“…For extensive degradation of Basic blue 41, Abbas Attar developed Zn-SnO 2 /Al 2 O 3 nanotubes using a liquid-phase deposition process. 213 The dye was degraded efficiently under visible light irradiation, and the enhanced performance was due to the high specific area, wide visible-light absorption range, narrowed bandgap by Zndoping, and effective electron-hole separation.…”