Synthesis and characterization of a new hybrid nanocomposite based on di-substituted heteropolyanion-quantum dots as a high-performance nanocatalyst for organic dye removal from wastewater

Abstract

In this manuscript, a new hybrid nanocatalyst (PMo₁₀Ni₂/ZnS@CS) based on di-substituted heteropolyanion (PMo₁₀Ni₂) and ZnS quantum dot was synthesized via the hydrothermal method. PMo₁₀Ni₂/ZnS@CS is a candidate for removal of environmental pollutants. The synthesized hybrid nanocatalyst was analyzed by TEM, UV-vis, FT-IR, XRD, and EDX techniques. The results of XRD analysis showed the average crystallite size of the PMo₁₀Ni₂/ZnS@CS nanocomposite particles is about 33 nm, which was consistent with the TEM results. The nano-catalytic activity of PMo₁₀Ni₂/ZnS@CS hybrid nanocomposite was investigated in photocatalytic decolorization of organic dyes. The experimental results showed that the inorganic-organic hybrid nanocomposite (PMo₁₀Ni₂/ZnS@CS) had excellent photocatalytic efficiency with 98% dye removal. The recovery of the photocatalyst in the decolorization process was investigated and the results indicate a reduction of photocatalytic power after the second and third stage recovery, respectively. In the present study, PMo₁₀Ni₂/ZnS@CS was proposed as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst with broad nanocatalytic applications of dye removal.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Polyoxometalate
• nanocomposite
• quantum dot
• dye removal
• photocatalytic decolorization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.