|
Adewoye, T. L.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Atanda, A. S.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Mustapha, S. I.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.; School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Witwatersrand Private Bag X3, P.O BOX 2050, South Africa
Badakin, I. O.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Olatunji, E. E.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Olatunji, M. S.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using Zinc Oxide (ZnO)-biochar (ZB) as the primary catalyst, comparing its effectiveness with a ZnO-rutile-biochar composite (ZRB) and biochar alone, was considered in this study. The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesised using a green synthesis approach with neem leaves as a reducing agent. The synthesised ZnO nanoparticles and rutile were then deposited in biochar obtained from Terminalia mantaly using the wet mixing method to form the nanocomposites. The synthesised nanoparticles and composite were characterised using UV–Vis, FT-IR, XRD, and EDX. Kinetics and reusability studies were also carried out to assess the performance of the catalysts under various conditions. Under UV light, ZB achieved a peak degradation of 78.22% at 50 min, which was slightly lower than ZRB’s peak of 79.62%. ZB reached 70.77% degradation after 60 min in sunlight, slightly less effective than ZRB’s 74.76%. In dark conditions, ZB showed 18.55% degradation after 60 min, just below ZRB’s 19.79%. Biochar alone demonstrated 59.88% degradation under light. The fastest degradation rate occurred in the first 30 minutes, peaking at 50.18%. The results indicate that while ZB performs effectively as a photocatalyst, ZRB consistently exhibits slightly superior performance across various conditions, particularly during the first 50-60 min of exposure. The second-order model best describes the adsorption kinetics and the Methylene Blue degradation efficiency of the adsorbent by 34.0% and 53.0% after the third and fifth reuse cycles. These results underscore the effectiveness of ZB composites in various environmental conditions, supporting sustainable water treatment efforts in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6. Further studies are recommended to explore its regeneration potential and large-scale applicability in real wastewater treatment systems.
Keywords: Photocatalytic degradation, methylene blue, nanoparticles, composite
https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v10i2_13
|
View: 14 | Download: 4
Published
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Issue
Vol. 10 No. 2, December 2024
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
|
