Trade-Off between Degradation Efficiency and Recyclability: Zeolite-Enhanced Ni<sub>3−x</sub>Co<sub>x</sub>S<sub>4</sub> Catalyst for Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
Rachel Anne E. Lagunay,
Ritche Roi B. Adalim,
Aruzhan Tleubekova,
Diana Suleimenova,
Marvin Jose F. Fernandez,
Robert J. O’Reilly,
Mannix P. Balanay
Affiliations
Rachel Anne E. Lagunay
Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Ritche Roi B. Adalim
Department of Chemistry, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Aruzhan Tleubekova
Department of Biology, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
We herein report successful syntheses of both nickel cobalt sulfide (NCS) and its composite with zeolite (NCS@Z) using a solvothermal method. Techniques such as EDX analysis, SEM, and molar ratio determination were used for product characterization. The incorporation of NCS significantly changed the surface roughness and active sites of the zeolite, improving the efficiency of methylene blue degradation and its reusability, especially under UV irradiation. In comparing the pseudo-first order rates, the highest degradation efficiency of methylene blue was achieved with NCS-2@Z, having a degradation extent of 91.07% under UV irradiation. This environmentally friendly approach offers a promising solution for the remediation of methylene blue contamination in various industries.
