The effect of operational parameters in the photocatalytic activity of synthesized Mg/ZnO–SnO₂ nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, ZnO–SnO₂ nanoparticles were prepared using the co-precipitation method, and then to reach higher photocatalytic activity, Mg was impregnated onto the prepared nanoparticles. The results of BET analysis indicated that compared to pure ZnO–SnO₂, Mg/ZnO–SnO₂ nanoparticles had a higher specific surface area. The photocatalytic performance of synthesized samples was monitored by degradation rate of Methyl Orange (MO) as a probe pollutant under UV light irradiation. In order to get more information for optimization of photocatalytic activity, the effect of various operational parameters (i.e. catalyst dosage, MO concentration, pH, and light intensity) were investigated. The results revealed that the highest removal percentage of MO was achieved with 800 mg L⁻¹ of Mg/ZnO–SnO₂, 10 mg L⁻¹ of MO at pH = 4.5, and light intensity of 62.2 W m⁻². The synthesized samples demonstrated superior photocatalytic activity than TiO₂–P25 nanoparticles.

Keywords:

• ZnO–SnO₂
• Mg impregnation
• Photocatalytic activity
• Methyl Orange

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the financial support of Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University and the Iranian Nanotechnology Initiative Council.