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Preparation and activity evaluation of B4C/ZnO composite photocatalyst

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for catalytic, photoelectrochemical and sensor applications
  • Published:
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Abstract

In this study, B4C/ZnO composite photocatalysts were obtained by the heat treatment of polyvinyl borate composite, synthesized using the crosslinking reaction of polyvinyl alcohol and boric acid in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of B4C/ZnO was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of a model dye, methylene blue. The relationship between the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and the temperature of the reaction medium, and the pH of the reaction medium was also studied. The structural and optical properties of B4C/ZnO photocatalyst were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The B4C and B4C/ZnO composite nanoparticles were synthesized successfully, which was proven by the FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses. The photocatalytic degradation experiments illustrated that the photocatalytic activity of the composite photocatalysts was higher than that of B4C on the photocatalytic degradation of the model dye. The heterojunction structure formed between ZnO and B4C might have decreased the recombination rate, which was determined by the fluorescence spectroscopy. The B4C/ZnO composites possessed wider optical bandgap compared to pure B4C, which was determined by Tauc’s plot analysis. When compared with pure B4C, approximately three times faster degradation rate was obtained by the B4C/ZnO composite. After four cycles of the photocatalytic degradation experiments, approximately 26% loss in the photocatalytic degradation efficiency was observed. Based on the scavenger experiments to reveal the photocatalytic degradation mechanism, the photoinduced holes, the superoxide radicals, and the hydroxyl radicals were the main active species for the degradation of methylene blue.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

  • Combining ZnO with B4C narrowed the optical band gap energy, exhibiting a red shift.

  • The recombination rate of ZnO and B4C was reduced.

  • ZnO enhanced the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of B4C.

  • A threefold increase in the reaction rate of the photocatalytic degradation was obtained with the composite.

  • Both the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals contributed significantly to the photocatalytic degradation reaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy Engineering, Ankara University, Ankara, 06830, Turkey

    Ozcan Koysuren

  2. Department of Environmental Engineering, Kirsehir Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, 40100, Turkey

    Hafize Nagehan Koysuren

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  1. Ozcan Koysuren
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  2. Hafize Nagehan Koysuren
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All authors contributed to the study's conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by OK and HNK.

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Correspondence to Ozcan Koysuren.

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Koysuren, O., Koysuren, H.N. Preparation and activity evaluation of B4C/ZnO composite photocatalyst. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 103, 172–184 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05797-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05797-x

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