Synthesis and Characterization of N- Doped ZnO-γAl2O3 Nanoparticles for Photo-catalytic Application

Abstract

Abstract In this study, photo-catalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) azo dye was examined by undoped and Ce2O3/ CuO/ N doped ZnO nanoparticles stabilized on γAl2O3. Highest photo-catalytic activity was observed for the N-doped 10\u2006wt. % ZnO-γAl2O3 sample. One of the optimal points with the complete MO decomposition was determined at an initial concentration of 8.25\u2006ppm, pH 3.25, catalyst loading of 0.36\u2006g/L and 12.56\u2006W UV-light irradiation after 120\u2006min. Physical and chemical properties of materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) method. The experimental data were best fitted by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood approach photo-catalysis developed kinetic reaction rate in the form of −r=0.2797I0.5[Cat.]0.5[Dye] /1+0.1079[Dye]0+0.4086I0.5[Cat.]0.5 $- r = 0.2797\\, {I^{0.5}}\\, {[Cat.]^{0.5}}\\, \\, [Dye]{\\text{ }}/\\, \\, \\, 1 + 0.1079\\, {[Dye]_0}\\, + \\, 0.4086\\, {I^{0.5}}\\, {[Cat.]^{0.5}}$.