Cu-ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange

Photocatalytic degradation of textile dye derivative Methyl Orange (M.O) has been studied in aqueous medium using 2% copper doped zinc oxide (2% Cu-ZnO) nanoparticles under UV irradiation. Simple inexpensive chemical precipitation method was used for synthesis of pure and copper doped zinc oxide nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles pure and copper doped zinc oxide was characterized by X-ray Diffraction Technique (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis. The prepared nanoparticles were hexagonal wurzite structure. Photocatalytic efficiency of 2% Cu-ZnO were evaluated by studying mineralization of methyl orange (M.O.) as a model compound. The M.O. kinetics degradation was investigated under different parameters such as pH of the medium, catalyst dosage, M.O concentration, intensity of light etc. In addition reusability aspects of nanoparticles where also studied, which reveals that reused nanoparticles exhibited same results as that of virgin particles. Copyright © 2018 VBRI Press.