Photocatalytic degradation of highly toxic dyes using chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide)/ZnS in presence of solar irradiation

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry. Vol. 329; pp. 61 - 68
• Main Authors: Pathania, Deepak, Gupta, Divya, Al-Muhtaseb, Ala’a H., Sharma, Gaurav, Kumar, Amit, Naushad, Mu, Ahamad, Tansir, Alshehri, Saad M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Chitosan; Congo red; Methyl orange; Photocatalytic; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Zinc sulphide; Photocatalytic; Zinc sulphide; Congo red; Chitosan; Methyl orange; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 1010-6030; 1873-2666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2016.06.019

[Display omitted] •Chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide)/ZnS nanocomposite was synthesized.•Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and congo red (CR) dyes.•ZS/ChPA composite showed a higher rate of dye degradation. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and congo red (CR) dyes from aqueous solution have been attempted using chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide)/ZnS (ChPA/ZS) nanocomposite materials. Nanocomposites were successfully prepared in the aqueous solution through microwave radiations. Band gap property of composite was studied using UV–vis spectrophotometer. The ChPA/ZS nanocomposite was characterized by various techniques. The photocatalytic activity of ChPA/ZS was evaluated for methyl orange and congo red dyes degradation in aqueous solution under simulated solar irradiation. The degradation of dyes was recorded higher for ChPA/ZS nanocomposite. After 2h of irradiation, 75% of congo red dye was degraded and 69% of methyl orange was degraded after 4h of simulated solar irradiation. ChPA/ZS composite showed a higher rate of dye degradation owing to outstanding adsorbing properties of cross linked polyacrylamide.