Photocatalytic decolorization of ZnO/Fe for the removal of methylene blue by new microwave methodology

Abstract

The photocatalysis of ZnO/Fe was performed by the simple microwave method for the removal of methylene blue. All samples were found to possess a single-phase monoclinic scheelite structure. On loading 5.0 mol% of Fe to the samples, the photocatalytic activities were enhanced, suggesting the potential application of the material as a superior visible light-driven photocatalyst relative to pure ZnO for the decolorization of methylene blue dye. The enhanced decolorization activity of the photocatalyst demonstrated the ability of Fe to reduce the band gap energy of ZnO and improve the electron transfer in the ZnO/Fe adsorbent. Moreover, the ultraviolet–visible absorption experiments exhibited an excellent decolorization rate (30 min) along with a decolorization efficiency of 93% upon the UV irradiation of ZnO/Fe in the pH range. The possible reaction mechanism and decolorization pathway of the photocatalyst were discussed in detail, and the stability of the catalyst was confirmed by the reusability test.