Novel Zinc Orthotitanate photocatalyst: Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye

Several chemical industries, including textile, pharmaceutical, and paper industries, generate hazardous pollutants that pose a significant threat to the aquaculture and it increases exponentially day by day. The extensive use of polymeric, reactive, and synthetic dyes in textile industries contributes to the release of noxious industrial effluents, adversely impacting marine life. Worldwide numerous catalysts have been developed to tackle the challenges posed by industrial effluents. This study focuses on a comprehensive investigation of the solar photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye using Zinc Orthotitanate (Zn₂TiO₄) as novel catalyst. Zinc Orthotitanate (Zn₂TiO₄) powder has been synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) for its phase purity and, FESEM and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) for its particle size and morphology, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) for its surface area. Spinel phase of Zinc Orthotitanate (Zn₂TiO₄) was observed from the X-ray diffraction pattern. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye was studied. The maximum efficiency of methylene blue dye degradation was 98 % at 80 min. The study reveals that the Zn₂TiO₄ catalyst is favourable for photocatalytic application for the treatment of dye wastewater.