Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine-B by Advance Oxidative Process Using Electrochemically Synthesized ZnO–V₂O₅ Nanostructures

Abstract

This research is an attempt to establish the role of electrochemically synthesized nanostructures of ZnO–V₂O₅ for the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds as a possible alternative for effluent water treatment. ZnO–V₂O₅ nanostructures were synthesized via an electrochemical thermal technique under potentiostatic conditions. The resulting nanoparticles were calcined and characterized appropriately using FESEM, FTIR and XRD. The role of surfactants such as cetrimide (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide), PEG (Polyethylene glycol) and SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) was also investigated to enhance the photocatalytic action. Photocatalytic activity under UV light was analyzed by absorption and fluorescence studies. These novel nanostructures were tested for the degradation of a model pollutant—Rhodamine B through advance oxidation processes (AOPs). In the boom of ecoconservation and ecofriendly techniques to degrade organic dyes in waste water, AOPs are seen as alternative techniques to the traditional processes. Nearly 100% decolourisation was achieved under optimum experimental conditions suggesting promising applications for the photochemical degradation of dyes.