Polypyrrole–ZnCo2O4 hybrid nanocomposite: synthesis, characterization, and enhanced adsorption-photocatalytic performance for methylene blue degradation

Abstract

This study presents the synthesis, characterization and adsorption-photocatalytic evaluation of Polypyrrole–ZnCo₂O₄ (Ppy–ZCO) hybrid nanocomposite for Methylene Blue (MB) degradation under UV–light irradiation. ZCO particles were prepared using a sol–gel method, while the Ppy–ZCO nanocomposite was synthesized via in-situ oxidative polymerization. Characterization methods including FT-IR, XRD and SEM, confirmed the successful formation of the nanocomposite and its structural and morphological features. The Ppy–ZCO nanocomposite exhibited superior adsorption compared to pure Ppy and pure ZCO. Adsorption studies revealed favorable isotherm models, with the Langmuir model showing a maximum adsorption capacity of 23.3 mg g⁻¹. According to photocatalytic degradation results, Ppy–ZCO nanocomposite has the most photocatalytic activity than pure ZCO and pure Ppy. Maximum MB degradation of 98.55% was recorded for PPy–ZCO at pH = 10 after 180 min of irradiation. These findings highlight the potential of Ppy–ZCO nanocomposite as effective photocatalysts for water treatment applications.