Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol Using Urchin-Like ZnO Microrod-Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite under Visible-Light Irradiation

Abstract

In this study, visible-light-driven ZnO microrod-rGO heterojunction composites were successfully synthesized via a facile and scalable hydrothermal process. The prepared photocatalyst heterojunction was examined using different techniques including XRD, SEM, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and TGA to reveal their crystal phase, morphology, and other optical properties. The photocatalytic performance of the obtained ZnO-rGO composites was measured by the photodegradation of phenol under visible light illumination. The addition of graphene over the catalyst exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation due to its high surface area and decreasing rate of electron-hole separation. Kinetic studies proved that the degradation of phenol process happened by following the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The effective conditions for degradation of phenol using ZnO-rGO composite were 0.2 g L-1catalyst dose, pH -4, and initial concentration 20 ppm of phenol solution. Comparing with ZnO microrods, the heterojunction composite degraded the organic pollutants of phenol solution up to 84.2% of efficiency displaying the highest photocatalytic activity, whereas urchin-like ZnO catalyst exhibited much less photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation under visible light irradiation. This result envisages immense properties, showing a great potential industrial application for the removal of phenolic wastewater.

Comprehensive analysis of NiFe2O4/MWCNTs nanocomposite to degrade a healthcare waste – tetracycline

“…NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were hydrothermally synthesized in situ in the alkaline medium, where Fe 3+ and Ni 2+ in the solution were self-absorbed on the MWCNTs surface, as follows: 30,31 Ni(NO 3 ) 2 + 2Fe(NO 3 ) 3 + 8NaOH → NiFe 2 O 4 + 8NaNO 3 + 4H 2 O…”

Nanomaterials for Removal of Phenolic Derivatives from Water Systems: Progress and Future Outlooks

“…The most widely explored such materials include metal oxides, such as MgO, SiO 2 , TiO 2 , and ZnO, and carbon-based materials. Most recently, other materials such as layered double hydroxides [ 43 ] and graphene oxides (GO) [ 34 , 49 , 50 ] have also been applied.…”

Graphene Oxide Modified Microtubular ZnO Antibacterial Agents for a Photocatalytic Filter in a Facial Mask

“…, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and epoxy groups, which produce the edge charging and structural defects resulting in a significant adsorption effect and physical damage for the bacteria membrane . Recently, the photocatalytic activity of ZnO microrods was improved to produce massive reactive groups under light conditions by combining with GO . Compared to bare ZnO, the ZnO/GO nanohybrids reduced the bandgap from 2.81 to 2.71 eV .…”

“…29 Recently, the photocatalytic activity of ZnO microrods was improved to produce massive reactive groups under light conditions by combining with GO. 30 Compared to bare ZnO, the ZnO/GO nanohybrids reduced the bandgap from 2.81 to 2.71 eV. 31 Moreover, the antibacterial properties of ZnO/GO nanocomposites exhibited nearly 95% inactivation efficiency against Escherichia coli due to the antibacterial from reactive oxygen groups (ROS).…”