ZnO/CdO/reduced graphene oxide and its high catalytic performance towards degradation of the organic pollutants

Abstract

ZnO/CdO nanoparticles on the reduced graphene oxide (ZnO/CdO/ /reduced graphene oxide) were prepared by a hydrothermal process. The structure and morphology were investigated by FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, EDX, DRS, SEM and TEM. The sonocatalytic properties of ZnO/CdO/reduced graphene oxide were evaluated in the degradation of mefenamic acid (MEF), methyl orange (MO), rhodamin (RhB) and 4-nitroaniline (4-NA). Based on the results, the effective and high efficiency of the degradation of azo dyes (MO: 84 %, RhB: 80 %), MEF: 93 % and 4-NA: 95 % were observed in 120 min after the beginning of the reactions. The effects of factors such as ZnO/CdO/reduced graphene oxide dosage, initial concentration of organic pollutant, ultrasonic power and the presence of ROS (reactive oxygen species) scavengers on the degradation efficiency were reviewed. It was found that the presence of scavengers suppressed the sonocatalytic degradation efficiency. This research indicates the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibit much higher catalytic activity than ZnO/CdO nanoparticles and reduce graphene oxide (rGO).

Keywords

• sonocatalysis
• 4-nitroaniline
• degradation
• mefenamic acid
• azo dyes
• ultrasonic waves
• scavengers