Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol in water solution using Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Marine Chemistry, Faculty of Marine Science, Chabahar Maritime University, Iran

Abstract

ZnAl2O4 and Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation using ammonia as precipitating agent, followed by thermal treatment at 700°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) were employed to clarify the structure and morphology of the samples. In addition, the presence of Sr in Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 NPs was further evidenced from energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The Photocatalytic activity of ZnAl2O4 and Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles were evaluated in the photo-catalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in aqueous media under the UV irradiation technique. The effect of various parameters, including catalyst dosage, 2,4-DCP concentration, pH, and temperature, on the degradation of 2,4-DCP was investigated. With 0.6 wt% Sr doped ZnAl2O4 samples after 60 min irradiation, 100% of 2,4-DCP photodegradation was observed in acidic conditions, while with undoped ZnAl2O4 samples only 67% 2,4-DCP was removed upon UV irradiation for 200 min. The reusability of the catalyst was examined under optimized conditions. The results demonstrate that Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles exhibit considerably high catalytic stability with more than 90% degradation after the third catalytic cycle.

Graphical Abstract

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol in water solution using Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles

Highlights

  • ZnAl2O4 and Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation and were characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, BET, and EDX techniques.
  • The photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-DCP by ZnAl2O4 and Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 samples was comparatively studied under UV irradiation.
  • The reusability of the catalyst was evaluated.
  • The results demonstrate that Sr-doped ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles exhibit considerably high catalytic stability with more than 90% degradation after the third catalytic cycle.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Particle Science and Technology
Volume 4, Issue 2
October 2018
Pages 101-109

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 April 2018
  • Revise Date: 23 October 2018
  • Accept Date: 06 November 2018

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