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. 2019 Dec 26;25(1):96.
doi: 10.3390/molecules25010096.

Hybrid Material Based on an Amorphous-Carbon Matrix and ZnO/Zn for the Solar Photocatalytic Degradation of Basic Blue 41

Silvania Lanfredi  1 , Marcos A L Nobre  2 , Po S Poon  3 , Juan Matos  3   4
Affiliations

Hybrid Material Based on an Amorphous-Carbon Matrix and ZnO/Zn for the Solar Photocatalytic Degradation of Basic Blue 41

Silvania Lanfredi et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Innovative composites based on an amorphous-carbon matrix containing a second phase ZnO oxide and/or highly dispersed Zn metallic were synthesized via a modified Pechini route, in which a partial pyrolysis method was reached. Studies of adsorption in the dark and the photocatalytic activity for the cationic azo-dye, basic blue 41, and degradation were carried out. X-ray diffraction patterns for the carbon matrix and its composite with Zn show characteristics of the amorphous carbon. The infrared in the mid region of the composite prepared with ZnO and Zn exhibit vibrational bands related to bonds zinc oxide. The surface pH of the material is the main factor responsible for the adsorption of the azo-dye, but the contribution of mesopores favored the diffusion of molecules from the bulk of solution to the pore framework. Esters-like functional groups on the surface of carbons hinder the adsorption of the azo-dye. When Zn is embedded within amorphous carbon the photocatalytic activity of the composites showed up to 2.4 higher than neat ZnO. The enhancement in the photocatalytic activity and stability of C/ZnO/Zn and C/Zn composites is discussed in terms of a protector effect by the carbon layers inserted in composites. Carbon layers are responsible to inhibit the lixiviation of ZnO particles along irradiation.

Keywords: amorphous carbon; basic blue 41; carbon/ZnO composites; lixiviation; photocatalytic degradation; solar irradiation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
XRD patterns of the samples. (a) C/Zn; (b) C/ZnO/Zn; (c) C-amorphous.
Figure 2
Figure 2
FTIR spectra of C/Zn, C/ZnO/Zn, and C-amorphous.
Figure 3
Figure 3
SEM images. (a) C-amorphous; (b) C/Zn; (c) C/ZnO/Zn.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Adsorption–desorption isotherms of N2 at −196 °C for the different samples.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Kinetics of BB41 adsorption in the dark; (b) pH changes as a function of time; (c) relationship between BB41 adsorbed and the pHPZC; (d) relationship between BB41 adsorbed and the ratio Vmeso/V0.99.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a) Kinetic of BB41 photodegradation under artificial solar irradiation; (b) linear regression of the kinetic data from Figure 6a.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation of the BB41 on C/Zn and C/ZnO/Zn composites.
Figure 8
Figure 8
DR/UV-VIS spectra of the samples.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Kinetics of BB41 photodegradation at different photocatalytic consecutive runs. The figure inset contains the linear regression of the kinetic data.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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