Abstract
In this study, zinc oxide nanohybrids based on functionalized bio-silica were synthesized and used for the degradation of Congo red under visible light. Diatom was used as a Si natural source with hierarchical nanostructures to produce porous silica support. Functionalized porous silica is a good candidate for direct immobilization of metal oxide and therefore of interest as the catalyst. Here, six hybrids of functionalized bio-silica and ZnO were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM/EDX, BET/BJH, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Then, the synthesized catalysts were subjected to degradation of different anionic azo dyes (Congo red, methyl orange, and methyl red) under visible light irradiation. The results show the decrease of band gap in bio-silica@ZnO hybrids which enhance the photocatalytic properties of hybrids due to the shifting to visible light adsorption. The best photocatalytic result of SiO2@ZnO hybrid was obtained from chitosan-based amino-functionalized silica due to the best functionalization, highest loading of ZnO, low band gap, and filling of diatom pores with functional groups.
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Support of this investigation by the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran is gratefully acknowledged.
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The study conception design of the study was done by Maryam Afsharpour. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by SA and MA. The manuscript was written by MA. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Afsharpour, M., Amoee, S. Porous biomorphic silica@ZnO nanohybrids as the effective photocatalysts under visible light. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 49784–49795 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19377-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19377-7