WO3-ZnO Supported on Molecular Sieves as Efficient Material for the Decolorization of Methylene Blue by Adsorption and Photocatalysis

Abstract

Over the past few decades, nano-sized semiconductor powders for use as photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants have attracted attention due to many advantages. In this research, a new composite material WO3-ZnO/molecular sieves (MS) was synthesized by precipitation method and hydrothermal method. The degradation activities of the WO3-ZnO/MS composite material were evaluated through photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). It was found that the degradation rate of MB increased with an increase in the time, and the composite material was effective for the decolorization of MB. The decolorization rate of MB increased with an increase in the material dosage. The decolorization rate of MB decreased with an increase in the initial concentration. The temperature affected the adsorption capacity of the composite material but the temperature had little effect on photodegradation. The results also indicated that MB was not easily decomposed under strong acid condition, while more easily under weakly acidic and alkaline conditions. Our results will serve as a foundation for future applications of photocatalytic degradation.