Research Article Open Access

Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using TiO2/ZnO/Fe2O3 Ternary Nanocomposites

Abstract

Herein we report the synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic activity of ternary nanocomposite prepared via a single-step sol-gel process. Various characterization techniques were used for the analysis of the photocatalyst. XRD analysis clearly indicated the multiphase growth of nanocomposite. The average particle size obtained from Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis of the photocatalysts TiO₂, TiO₂/ZnO, and TiO₂/ZnO/Fe₂O₃ were 19.1, 54.4, and 26 nm respectively. From BET analysis, it follows that there was a pronounced increase in the surface area of the ternary nanocomposite. The UV Visible DRS analysis indicated a considerable red shift of TiO₂/ZnO/Fe₂O₃ compared to that of TiO₂ and TiO₂/ZnO nanocomposite.

A comparative study on the photocatalytic performance of the prepared samples was performed using methylene blue as the model dye. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solutions was enhanced significantly when TiO₂/ZnO/Fe₂O₃ ternary nanocomposite was used as a photocatalyst. The consequences of the phase transition, surface features, and optical properties were compared and reported. The reduced photoluminescence intensity, decreased optical band gap energy and high surface area in ternary nanocomposite resulted in higher degradation of methylene blue under UV irradiation.

Juliya A.P, Jayaram P,Abdul Mujeeb V.M, Muraleedharan.K

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