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Cost-effective and rapid synthesis of ZnO photocatalyst with the high performance of dye photodegradation as application in minimizing chemical risks used in industry

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

The production of the zinc oxide (ZnO) particle still has a great challenge due to the disadvantage of the latest method such as high temperature and long reaction time. To this end, a rapid method was developed to produce the ZnO particle by the simple ultrasonication method that can be applied as a photocatalyst of dyes waste produced by industries. We investigated the effect of the ultrasonic wave amplitude (0, 25, 50 and 75%) and irradiation time (0, 10, 30 and 45 min) on the structural, surface morphology, optical and photocatalytic activity on the produced ZnO particle. TEM micrographs showed that free-agglomerate and smaller ZnO particle size (compared with non-ultrasound ZnO sample) were obtained by just increasing the ultrasonic wave amplitude and irradiation time, which correlate with ultrasonication energy. This suggested a morphological control of the ZnO production through the ultrasonication method. The wurtzite-type ZnO crystal and its size estimation determined from the Rietveld-refined XRD patterns confirm that the crystal size increases as the ultrasonication time and wave amplitude increase. The FTIR spectra confirm the chemical bond of ZnO particle. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO particle under sunlight irradiation revealed that the application of ultrasonication tremendously increased the photocatalytic activity. It was measured by degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange using ZnO particles prepared with and without ultrasonication up to 98% and 78% in 90 min, respectively. This is the highest value compared with other previous results.

Graphical Abstract

Ultrasonic-assisted method has been elaborated to produce ZnO particles. The ultrasonic wave amplitude and ultrasonication time were studied to understand their effect on the particle morphology change. Free-agglomerate particles and narrow size distribution were obtained through this method. The produced ZnO particle has a tremendously high photocatalytic activity that can degrade methylene blue and methyl orange as pigment dye up to 98%.

Highlights

  • Dyes products resulting from industrial waste have a detrimental impact on organisms and the environment. Dyes products contain toxic substances that can pose health risks to living organisms and pollute soil. Removing dye from wastewater becomes an important task before it can be discharged into the environment to ensure the survival of a healthy human society.

  • Free-agglomerate ZnO particles were successfully synthesized through a rapid and simple ultrasonication method by altering the ultrasonication time and wave amplitude.

  • ZnO particles provide a tremendous photocatalytic activity of methylene blue and methyl orange degradation up to 98% under sunlight irradiation.

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Funding

This research is funded by Directorate of Research and Development, Universitas Indonesia, under Hibah PUTI 2022 (Grant No: 1279/UN2.RST/HKP.05.00/2022). Also, the authors greatly acknowledge for the financial support provided by Directorate of Research and public service through a research grant with contract No. 1035/PKS/ITS/2022 (LQ). We also extend our gratitude to Elga Destrafiana Sari and Syaifur Rahman for assistance with the experiment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Occupational Health & Safety Department, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, 16244, Indonesia

    Abdul Kadir, Hardy Atmajaya, Stevan Deby Anbiya Muhammad Sunarno & Mila Tejamaya

  2. Department of Industrial Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia

    Lailatul Qomariyah & Daril Ridho Zuchrillah

  3. Chemical Engineering Program, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan

    Takashi Ogi

  4. Centre of Lipid Engineering and Advanced Research (CLEAR), Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

    Nicky Rachmana Putra

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  1. Abdul Kadir
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by AK, LQ, TO, HA, NRP, SDAMS, MT, and DRZ for the supporting of the analysis method. The first draft of the manuscript was written by all authors and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Lailatul Qomariyah.

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This study has been approved by the Ethical Committee of The Research and Community Engagement, Faculty of Public Health Universitas Indonesia No: Ket-605/UN2.F10.D11/PPM.002/2022.

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Kadir, A., Qomariyah, L., Ogi, T. et al. Cost-effective and rapid synthesis of ZnO photocatalyst with the high performance of dye photodegradation as application in minimizing chemical risks used in industry. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 107, 711–724 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06147-1

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