Authors : N. P. Mohabansi, A. K. Satone and S. A.Mandavgane
Page Nos : 117-125
Description :
Abstract:
The photocatalytic process using nano-structured semiconductors is one of the promising techniques used for the destructive oxidation of organic compounds such as dyes. Nanostructure tenorite (CuO) crystals were successifully synthesized by microwave assisted green synthesis. Structures and morphologies of synthesized samples were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infra-red spectroscopy (IR) and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV). The photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesized samples were evaluated by the degradation of alizarin red S in aqueous solutions under sunlight. The photocatalytic results indicate that the as-synthesized nanocrystals CuO shows good photocatalytic activity and could be considered as a promising photo catalyst for dye waste water treatment. Also effect of process parameters through pH, catalyst doses and H2O2/ COD ratio on photocatalytic degradation has been studied. Maximum rate of decolourization was observed at pH 7. Almost complete decolourization of the dye was observed in 45 min at the optimized experimental conditions. The photocatalytic degradation of dye was found to adhere to pseudo-first order kinetics.
Keywords: tenorite, nanophotocatalyst, XRD, SEM, sunlight, degradation, Alizarin red-S
