Authors
Info
K.S. Kumar*, V. Samynaathan, S.
Kumar and B. Neeraja
Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri
Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam ? 603 110, India
*Corresponding
Author Email :
sathishkumark@ssn.edu.in
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Abstract
Aim: In the present
study, we reported a facile synthesis of new Dy2O3/Bi2O3
nanocomposite and examined its photocatalytic activity by studying
degradation of methylene blue dye under UV irradiation.
Methodology: Nano-catalyst was
synthesised in situ wet chemical method and it was characterised by
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fluorescence spectroscopy,
Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and UV spectroscopy. Effects of
degradation reaction parameters like initial dye concentration, photocatalyst
load and pH of the effluent solution on the rate of degradation were studied.
Results: It was found that
maximum percentage degradation was achieved at 60 ppm initial dye
concentration with a catalyst load of 0.5 g l-1 and at neutral pH
conditions. For degradation of 100 ppm of methylene blue solution, catalyst
load of 0.5 g l-1 proved to be optimum at pH 7. Studies on the
effect of pH indicates that the percentage degradation of dye increased as
the pH of the solution increased.
Interpretation: It was found that
the removal of dye with the prepared catalyst was highest at alkaline pH. The
optical studies showed that Dy2O3/Bi2O3
nanocomposite could be an effective photocatalyst than Bi2O3.
Key words: Dye degradation, Dysprosium oxide,Methylene blue,
Nanocomposites, Photocatalysis
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