ZnO/Sepiolite Catalysts – Characterization and Photoactivity Measurements

Sepiolite-supported ZnO catalysts (ZnO-SEP) were prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area (BET) measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) techniques. XRD analysis supplied information about the generation of ZnO nanoparticles. SEM images and elemental mapping scans revealed variations in the surface morphology of the SEP after ZnO loading. Supported catalysts possessed higher surface areas and pore volumes in comparison to unsupported catalyst (0.25 M ZnO). They also revealed suitable band-gap energies in the UV-A region. XPS analysis confirmed the build-up of ZnO nanoparticles on the SEP matrix with the form of Zn2+ oxidation state. Photocatalytic performances were evaluated in terms of methyl orange (MO) decolorization process following pseudo-first-order kinetics. The repeatability of photocatalytic activity was also tested

Adsorption, Kinetics and Photoactivity of ZnO-Supported Fly Ash-Sepiolite Ternary Catalyst

Nanocomposites have been attracting more attention in various fields. In this chapter, ZnO-supported fly ash-sepiolite (ZnO-FA-Sep) was prepared as a ternary composite for the evaluation of adsorption capacities and photocatalytic activities. Characterization studies supplied information about the surface morphology variation before and after ZnO loading within the FA-Sep environment. Strong dark adsorption capacities of the supported catalysts improved their photocatalytic performances, in terms of methyl orange (MO) decolorization and degradation processes. This study not only provided important inspirations for developing support materials but also opened new features to facilitate the photocatalyts\u27 performances