Abstract:
In this work, different types of photocatalysts, single systems; ZnO, Ag3PO4, and ternary systems with
different molar ratio of ZnO-Ag3PO4-Fe2O3 were prepared by precipitation method using precursor
solutions of Fe2O3, ZnO, and Ag3PO4. Analysis of crystal structure, energy band gap, functional groups
and optical properties of the photocatalysts were characterized by using XRD, FTIR and UV-Visible
spectrophotometer instruments respectively. The effects of initial dye concentration, and catalyst load,
pH of solution and temperature were investigated. Photocatalytic degradation activities of the
synthesized nanocomposites under visible light irradiation have been evaluated in the reduction of
aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye solution and real sewage samples collected from Haile Garment
Textile Industry. ZnO-Ag3PO4-Fe2O3 (80:10:10) ternary nanocomposite photocatalyst exhibited the
most effective degradation efficiency of methylene blue (MB) dye and real sewage sample at pH= 6, 10
mg/L dye concentration and 140 mg catalyst dose under 50 o
C 91% and 72% dye was degraded after
150 minute under visible light irradiation.
