Search

In this work, ternary metal oxide composite CuO/Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO was synthesized through sol-gel method and further modified with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to form a novel and effective β-CD-CuO/Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO catalyst for the organic pollutants adsorption and degradation. Both catalysts were characterized by P-XRD, SEM, EDX, DRS, PL, DTA/TGA and FT-IR. The adsorption and photocatalytic activity of the above synthesized catalyst were carried out at neutral pH and 1 g/L catalysts dosage for the different types of water pollutants. β-CD-CuO/Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO achieved degradation efficiency as 89.3% in 160 min (RhB), 93.2% in 160 min (Gunner 500), 84.1% in 200 min (Cefixime), and 81.5% in 180 min (p -NP). It was also observed that presence of β-CD enhanced the adsorption/degradation efficiency. Kinetics results followed to the pseudo first order (PSO) with the k 1 values as 10.40 × 10−3min−1, 0.17 × 10−3min−1, 4.94 × 10−3min−1 and 1.83 × 10−3min−1 for RhB, Gunner 500, Cefixime and p -NP respectively. These photocatalysts exhibit high efficiency in a short reaction time, and good reusability for real wastewater application. • Synthesize a ternary metal oxide of CuO/Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO by sol-gel method. • Ternary metal oxide combinded with β-CD. • Synthesized materials were characterized by using different characterization techniques. • Photocatalytic activity of catalyst wass investigated by adsorption and degradation of Rhodamine Blue, Gunner 500, Cefixime and p -NP. • Reaction rate kinetics, order, and scavanager study was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic degradation of dyes using metal oxides and their composite has become a smart process for detoxification of pollutants from wastewater system. The coupling of metal oxides increases the efficiency due to its broad light absorption, fast dynamic process and natural p-n characteristics. Sol-gel method was selected to prepare the binary nanocomposite Copper Oxide/Zinc Oxide (CuO/ZnO) & its ternary nanocomposite with beta cyclodextrin (β-CD), β-CD-CuO/ZnO. The synthesized materials were characterized using PXRD, FT-IR, TEM, TGA-DTA and Uv–Visible spectroscopy. For both the materials photocatalytic performance was studied for of model textile dyes pollutants degradation, malachite green (MG) and methylene blue (MB). The efficiency of the prepared catalysts and degradation mechanism are discussed. The involvement of various active species in degradation process is confirmed by applying suitable scavengers. Further the limitation of electron hole recombination was improved by β-CD addition. The photocatalytic activity of β-CD-CuO/ZnO was observed superior to CuO/ZnO catalyst. The degradation efficiency was observed up to 89.15 and 79.90% for MB and MG dyes after 180 min of irradiation using β-CD-CuO/ZnO. In addition to that, β-CD-CuO/ZnO has good adsorption tendency because of its hydrophilic exterior and hydrophobic interior cavity due to which they can encapsulate pollutant molecules in cavity. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of ternary nanocomposite with beta cyclodextrin (β-CD), β-CD-CuO/ZnO. • Properly characterization of β-CD-CuO/ZnO with various techniques. • Role of β-CD in photocatalytic activity is enlightened. • Performance of β-CD-CuO/ZnO as photocatalyst is measured by MG and MB dyes. • Study of Efficiency, Kinetic, Reusability and Photocatalytic degradation mechanism of β-CD-CuO/ZnO is accomplished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]