Photodegradation, thermodynamic and kinetic study of cationic and anionic dyes from effluents using polyazomethine/ZnO and polyazomethine/TiO2 nanocomposites

Abstract

Water is a life-giving and energising substance. People all around the world are struggling due to the deficiency of fresh and hygienic potable water. Clean water is a significant resource for human civilization on Earth and one of the most crucial requirements for all living species to survive. Contamination of water due to synthetic dye is one of the most serious threats to human health. The photocatalystspoly(azomethine), ZnO, TiO2, poly(azomethine)/TiO2 and poly(azomethine)/ZnO were synthesized and used to remove cationic and anionic dyes from contaminated water.The band gap of photocatalysts, reaction kinetics, isotherm studies and thermodynamic studies were assessed and the photocatalytic studies revealed that polyazomethine/ZnO and polyazomethine/TiO2 nanocomposites had significantly higher photocatalytic activity and are more efficient at removing dyes from effluents than PAZ, ZnO, and TiO2 in natural sunlight.