Study of Fe۳O۴/ZnO Nano Composite Efficiency in Ponceau ۴R Dye Photodegradation Process and Optimization of Operational Parameters

The presence of azo dyes in wastewater has caused serious environmental and health problems that need an urgent solution. Therefore, the key purpose of this work was to assess the efficiency of using Fe۳O۴/ZnO nanocomposite catalyst for the photodegradation of Ponceau ۴R azo dye. For this purpose, The Fe۳O۴/ZnO catalyst was fabricated and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The optimal conditions, including pH, catalyst concentration, dye concentration, H۲O۲ concentration, temperature, and UV-C irradiation time, for Ponceau ۴R azo dye photodegradation were determined using One Factor at a Time (OFAT) experimental design method. The photocatalytic degradation of Ponceau ۴R azo dye followed PFO. In this design, each factor was examined at four levels. The optimal conditions for this process, as shown by the results, were a dye concentration of ۱۵ mm/L, a pH of ۶, a catalyst concentration of ۲۵ mm/L, H۲O۲ concentration of ۲۰ mm/L, and an irradiation time of ۸۰ minutes at ۳۵ °C. The effectiveness of dye degradation was significantly enhanced with the combined use of Fe۳O۴/ZnO nanocomposite, H۲O۲, and UV light. The k equal to ۰.۰۶۴۳ min−۱ appeared as an outcome of the photocatalytic degradation.

Keywords:

Nanocomposite , dye pollutant , Photodegradation , one factor at a time , photoreactor