Several nanomaterials have been used in the environmental treatments. ZnO, one of photocatalysts, has an excellent photocatalystic ability. Organic contaminants such as azo dye have been widely used in the textile industry. Reactive black 5 (RB5), one of azo dye, is chosen as the target compound. In this study, photodegradation of RB5 using ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) under different environmental factors, such as pH and electrolytes, was discussed. The sizes of ZnO NPs were less than 100 nm in around neutral conditions. The adsorption isotherm of RB5 on ZnO NPs was fitted Freundlich equation better than Langmuir one. Under 365 nm UV exposure, ZnO showed the best photodegradation activity at pH 8. In the presence of electrolytes such as NaCl and CaCl2, both adsorption and photodegradation of RB5 by ZnO were slightly reduced. After the adsorption of RB5, ZnO NPs immediately aggregated, settled, and can be collected for photodegradation of RB5. Besides, ZnO remained great photocatalystic ability after three recycles and still removed more than 80% RB5 in the third cycle, indicating these processes can effectively remove azo dye contaminants from water and also recycle ZnO NP catalysts.

Removal of reactive black 5 by zinc oxide nanoscale photocatalyst through adsorption and photodegradation from water and their recycle

256th National Meeting (2018)

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