Rapid and green combustion synthesis of nanocomposites based on Zn–Co–O nanostructures as photocatalysts for enhanced degradation of acid brown 14 contaminant under sunlight

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 280; p. 119841
• Main Authors: Zinatloo-Ajabshir, Sahar, Heidari-Asil, Seyed Ali, Salavati-Niasari, Masoud
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Green synthesis; Magnetic photocatalyst; Nanocomposite; Photocatalytic activity; Zinc cobaltite; Magnetic photocatalyst; Photocatalytic activity; Nanocomposite; Green synthesis; Zinc cobaltite
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119841

•Synthesis of Zn–Co–O nanocomposites by a controllable combustion approach.•Use of new and green reactants.•Excellent performance of Zn–Co–O nanocomposites in removal of acid brown 14 pollutant under sunlight, for the first time.•Significant effect of glucose on the synthesis of high-performance Zn–Co–O nanocomposites as nanophotocatalysts. It is highly favorable to introduce an efficacious magnetic separable structure as visible light photocatalyst for practical usages to eliminate organic contaminants. Herein, magnetic separable zinc–cobalt mixed-metal oxides as visible light photocatalysts were successfully fabricated utilizing diverse saccharides as eco-friendly kinds of capping agents and fuels, for the first time. The influence of saccharide kind and its dosage was explored to achieve the circumstances for creating the sample with more favorable morphology, catalytic capability, and size. The features of the nanostructured zinc–cobalt mixed-metal oxides were investigated, and its creation corroborated with several techniques. In the following, the catalytic decomposition activity of varied ZnCo2O4/Co3O4 micro/nanostructures for acid brown 14 as a water contaminant was explored, for the first time. The outcomes reveal that the nanostructured zinc–cobalt mixed-metal oxides as visible light photocatalysts could denote superb yield. The use of the binary composite nanostructures (ZnCo2O4-Co3O4) resulted in quick decomposition, with almost 94.3% of acid brown 14 being decomposed within 75 min. This work offers a feasible and eco-friendly way to create magnetic separable zinc–cobalt mixed-metal oxides as high potential visible light photocatalysts that can be apposite for environmental remediation.