Photocatalytic treatment of textile effluent using reduced graphene oxide and zinc oxide integrated nanocomposite with inherent semiconductivity

This investigation explores the utilization of semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) based nanocomposite in decolorization of textile dyes. The structural, morphological and optical characteristics of semiconductor ZnO nanoparticles fabricated by hydrothermal process are scrutinized thoroughly and maneuvered with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to yield superior properties and consequent preferable performance. The modification of the properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles by fabrication of a nanocomposite with an efficient electron acceptor like reduced graphene oxide results in excellent catalytic characteristics. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite is carried out by photodegradation of Rhodamine B (a toxic colorant used in textile and medical industry) in aqueous solution under solar light irradiation. The synthesized nanocomposite along with the prepared zinc oxide nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy.This investigation explores the utilization of semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) based nanocomposite in decolorization of textile dyes. The structural, morphological and optical characteristics of semiconductor ZnO nanoparticles fabricated by hydrothermal process are scrutinized thoroughly and maneuvered with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to yield superior properties and consequent preferable performance. The modification of the properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles by fabrication of a nanocomposite with an efficient electron acceptor like reduced graphene oxide results in excellent catalytic characteristics. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite is carried out by photodegradation of Rhodamine B (a toxic colorant used in textile and medical industry) in aqueous solution under solar light irradiation. The synthesized nanocomposite along with the prepared zinc oxide nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ra...