A novel study on synthesis of egg shell based activated carbon for degradation of methylene blue via photocatalysis

Abstract

Egg shell-based activated carbon was successfully synthesized by the simple chemical activation process. Orthophosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide used as an activation agent. XRD pattern reveals the hexagonal structure of activated carbon. The functional group presents in activated carbon was identified using FT-IR spectroscopy. SEM images show irregular shapes of carbon. The photocatalytic performance of investigated activated carbon by illuminating methylene blue dye under UV–Visible irradiations. Photocatalytic activity of activated carbon results maximum degradation efficiency of 83%. Adsorption efficiency have been increased with respect of time for degradation of dye. Free radicals and superoxide’s play a significant role is decolourization of methylene blue. Photocatalytic activity of activated carbon synthesized by Orthophosphoric acid results shows the high degradation efficiency when compared to NaOH.

Keywords

• Activated carbon
• Photocatalytic activity
• Methylene blue
• Hexagonal