Title of article :
Synthesis and Photocatalysis of ZnO/γ-Fe2O3 Nanocomposite in Degrading Herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
Author/Authors :
MUN, LEE KIAN Universiti Putra Malaysia - Faculty of Science - Department of Chemistry, Malaysia , ABDULLAH, ABDUL HALIM Universiti Putra Malaysia - Institute of Advanced Technology - Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Malaysia , HUSSEIN, MOHD ZOBIR Universiti Putra Malaysia - Institute of Advanced Technology - Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Malaysia , ZAINAL, ZULKARNAIN Universiti Putra Malaysia - Institute of Advanced Technology - Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Malaysia
Abstract :
ZnO/γ-Fe2O3 catalysts were fabricated via a simple precipitation route using zinc acetate and iron acetate as the precursors and ammonia as the precipitant. The resulted nanocatalysts were subjected to heat treatment at 450°C for 2 h. The characteristics of the nanocomposite were investigated by various characterization techniques. The synthesized nanocomposite has an average particle size of 13 nm and a surface area of 17 m^2/g. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite was evaluated by photodegrading 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) under UV irradiation. The results showed that ZnO/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite exhibited enhanced photoactivity compared to pure ZnO with almost 20% increment within 4 h of reaction time. The result indicated the applicability of ZnO/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite to be used as photocatalyst in removing organic pollutants in wastewater.
Keywords :
Photocatalytic degradation , precipitation , zinc oxide , 2,4 , D
