Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles prepared using simple co-precipitation method are characterized and photocatalytic activity is tested on the degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B organic pollutants. Morphological and structural properties of synthesized nanomaterial have been characterized using FESEM, EDAX spectroscopy, and XRD, while UV-visible DRS spectroscopy and photoluminescence have been used to understand their optical properties. The photocatalytic behaviour of synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated on the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) organic pollutants under solar light irradiation. The highest degradation was achieved for MB (100%) over RhB (96%). Preliminary investigation shows the effective degradation of organic pollutants by ZnO nanoparticles.
TopPhoto Catalysis
Photocatalysis is a “green” technology for the treatment of environmental pollutants with the use of solar energy. Photo catalysis has been a widely studied technology since 1970s. Environmental pollution and mineralization of organic pollutant in a global scale have drawn attention to the vital important need for totally new environmental friendly clean chemical technologies and process, the most important challenge for the chemical scientist in the field of green chemistry. Strong contenders as environmentally harmonious catalysts are photo catalyst that operates at room temperature and in a clean manner.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Eutrophication: Enrichment of nutrient salts in water resources due to run-off from the land that affects the ecosystem such as increased growth of aquatic plants, production of algae, lowering of fish species, deterioration of water quality, etc.
Hazardous: Anything (example: material or radiation) with the potential to cause harm.
Photocatalyst: Chemical compounds with the property to absorb radiation and utilize for chemical transformation.
Chronic Toxicity: Adverse effects due to long term exposure to toxic chemicals.
Photodegradation: Destruction of a molecule from higher molecular weight to lower molecular weight fragments.
Heinz Body Formation: Condition of destruction of red blood cells may be due to certain medications or food.
Neurotoxicity: Toxicity in which causes adverse effect on the structure or function of the nervous system probably by a biological, chemical, or physical agent.
Photocatalysis: Process of change (increase, generally) in rate of a chemical reaction due to the enhanced activity of catalyst under any type of radiation like ultraviolet, visible, infrared.
Carcinogenic: Potential of any chemical substance or radiation to cause cancer in cells. Exposure to through absorption, ingestion, and inhalation causes perilous changes at the living tissues at cellular level.