Indian Journal of Pure and Applied Physics

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Structural and Optical Properties of α-Fe2O3/Zno Nanocomposite in Wastewater Treatment


Affiliations
1 Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Haryana 131039, India
2 Department of Physics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124 001, India
3 Department of Physics, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Dwarka, New Delhi 110 078, India
4 Materials and Nano Engineering Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, DIT University, Dehradun 248 00, India
5 Department of Physics, J.C.Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, Haryana 121 006, India
 

This study aims to investigate the structural and optical characteristics of pure α-Fe2O3,ZnO, and α-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite synthesized by hydrothermal method and their application in the purification of dye-contaminated water. Synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, UV, and FTIR. XRD pattern of α-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite revealed two distinct phases corresponding to α-Fe2O3 and ZnO in synthesized nanocomposite. The characteristic absorbance peaks of α-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite were observed in UV visible spectra with a bandgap of 2.50 eV. The photocatalytic properties of as-synthesized nanocomposite have been evaluated by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. Compared to pure metal oxides (α-Fe2O3 and ZnO), photodegradation efficiency of nanocomposite for methylene blue dye was found to be enhanced. i.e., 78% in 105 minutes. This improved photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to efficient charge transfer in the nanocomposite, which in turn can be attributed to the reduced recombination probability of photo-induced carriers. The as-synthesized nanocomposite could be appropriate for wastewater treatment dye.

Keywords

Wastewater Treatment; α-Fe2O3/ZnO; Photodegradation; Methylene blue dye
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  • Structural and Optical Properties of α-Fe2O3/Zno Nanocomposite in Wastewater Treatment

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Authors

Sonia .
Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Haryana 131039, India
Harita Kumari
Department of Physics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124 001, India
Monica .
Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Haryana 131039, India
Sourabh Sharma
Department of Physics, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Dwarka, New Delhi 110 078, India
Seema Devi
Department of Physics, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Dwarka, New Delhi 110 078, India
Surjeet Chahal
Materials and Nano Engineering Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, DIT University, Dehradun 248 00, India
Suman .
Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Haryana 131039, India
Parmod Kumar
Department of Physics, J.C.Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, Haryana 121 006, India
Ashok Kumar
Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Haryana 131039, India

Abstract


This study aims to investigate the structural and optical characteristics of pure α-Fe2O3,ZnO, and α-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite synthesized by hydrothermal method and their application in the purification of dye-contaminated water. Synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, UV, and FTIR. XRD pattern of α-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite revealed two distinct phases corresponding to α-Fe2O3 and ZnO in synthesized nanocomposite. The characteristic absorbance peaks of α-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite were observed in UV visible spectra with a bandgap of 2.50 eV. The photocatalytic properties of as-synthesized nanocomposite have been evaluated by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. Compared to pure metal oxides (α-Fe2O3 and ZnO), photodegradation efficiency of nanocomposite for methylene blue dye was found to be enhanced. i.e., 78% in 105 minutes. This improved photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to efficient charge transfer in the nanocomposite, which in turn can be attributed to the reduced recombination probability of photo-induced carriers. The as-synthesized nanocomposite could be appropriate for wastewater treatment dye.

Keywords


Wastewater Treatment; α-Fe2O3/ZnO; Photodegradation; Methylene blue dye

References