Visible light-driven photocatalytic activity of Cu₂O/ZnO/Kaolinite-based composite catalyst for the degradation of organic pollutant

Abstract

Herein, we design to synthesize a novel Cu2O/ZnO/kaolinite composite catalyst by co-precipitation method. The synthesized composite catalysts were labeled as 5CZK, 10CZK, 15CZK, and 20CZK which represent 5, 10, 15, and 20% of Cu2O, respectively, on ZnO/kaolinite. The photocatalyst samples were characterized with different instruments. Moreover, the methylene blue (MB) dye was used as a target organic pollutant and the degradation was evaluated under visible light irradiation. The highest performance for the degradation of MB was achieved by 10CZK catalyst and degrades 93% within 105 min. However, ZnO (Z), Cu2O/ZnO (CZ), 5CZK, 15CZK, and 20CZK composite catalysts, degrades 28, 66, 76, 71, and 68 % of MB dye, respectively. The enhanced degradation efficiency of 10CZK composites catalyst could be due to the higher adsorption properties from metakaolinite and the light-responsive properties of the Cu2O/ZnO samples under visible light. Hence, the resulting composite catalyst could be applicable for environmental remediation.

Biological Renewable Cellulose-Templated Zn1–XCuXO/Ag2O Nanocomposite Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Methylene Blue

“…Recently, photocatalysis has attracted tremendous attention in environmental remediation technology. , Different types of photocatalysts have been utilized for wastewater treatment using photocatalysis systems. − Among them, ZnO is the most studied semiconductor due to its high stability, low cost, and nontoxicity . However, the wider band gap and higher recombination rates of the photogenerated charge carriers hinder its photocatalytic activity under visible light . Hence, the modification of ZnO with different techniques such as doping or heterojunction formation to inhibit the photogenerated charge carrier recombination rates and expand the visible light absorption ranges have been reported. − According to previous reports, doping with copper is the best technique to improve photocatalytic efficiencies because of its unique interaction properties with ZnO .…”

“… 20 However, the wider band gap and higher recombination rates of the photogenerated charge carriers hinder its photocatalytic activity under visible light. 21 Hence, the modification of ZnO with different techniques such as doping or heterojunction formation to inhibit the photogenerated charge carrier recombination rates and expand the visible light absorption ranges have been reported. 22 − 24 According to previous reports, doping with copper is the best technique to improve photocatalytic efficiencies because of its unique interaction properties with ZnO.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Broccoli-like Ag/Cu2O Nanostructures on ZnO Nanowires Using the Plasma–Liquid Interaction Method

“…Studies have demonstrated that the fabrication of ZnO nanowires using the hydrothermal method is simple and economical. Additionally, various fabrication techniques for mono-and binary structures, as well as ternary structures-including co-precipitation [32], hydrothermal [27], sol-gel [14], solution combustion [33], and plasma technology [28,34,35]-have been applied. Moreover, plasma technology has increasingly satisfied the urgent requirement for the development of a quick, easy, and eco-friendly approach.…”