Visible light driven robust photocatalytic activity in vanadium-doped ZnO/SnS core-shell nanocomposites for decolorization of MB dye towards wastewater treatment

Abstract

Vanadium metal oxide (V₂O₅) doped ZnO/SnS core-shell nanocomposites are fabricated by hydrothermal method at 220⁰C for 10 hours. All synthesized Nanocomposites were optically, structurally, morphologically and magnetically examined by different techniques such as UV-DRS, XRD, TEM, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), XPS and PL techniques. The photocatalytic activity (PCA) was studied for methylene blue (MB) model pollutant dye under 300 W visible light illumination. XRD peaks confirmed the mixed phase abundance with hexagonal ZnO and orthorhombic SnS. TEM micrographs inferred uneven surface with more agglomeration. XPS conclude V⁴⁺ oxidation state for vanadyl atoms along with constitutes elements. The UV-DRS inferred red shift in bandgap. EPR argued that vanadyl ions perform tetragonal compression distorted octahedral site symmetry. PL study described quantum confinement effect. The achieved MB dye degradation under visible light illumination is more than 96% in 2 hours. Enhanced PCA argued owing to plasmonic effect and tunable energy bandgap nature of heterogeneous semiconducting materials.

Keywords:

• Photocatalytic activity
• MB dye
• V doped ZnO/SnS
• hetero junction
• hydrothermal method

Acknowledgements

Authors (MPSR and Govinda) are thankful to GMR institute of Technology for providing financial assistance to carry out research work through the SEED grant.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.