Synergistic effects of zinc oxide coupled copper hexacyanoferrate nanocomposite: Robust visible-light driven dye degradation

Synthetic dyes are known to be toxic and endocrine disruptors. Therefore, advance and fast processes based on low-cost and highly proficient nanomaterials are required for their elimination. Herein, zinc oxide coupled copper hexacyanoferrate (ZnO-CuHCF) nanocomposite was prepared using plant extract of Azadirachta indica. Nanocomposite was characterized through spectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques. Distorted cubic nanocomposite with particle size range of 50-100 nm was obtained and appearance of stretching vibration around 483 cm(-1) confirmed the bonding of O of ZnO and Cu of CuHCF to form ZnO-CuHCF. Subsequently, nanocomposite was utilized as photocatalyst for removal of selected dyes under sunlight. At moderate dosage and neutral pH, nanocomposites was found highly active for quantitative degradation (97-99%) of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) and of Rhodamine B (RB) within 3 h of sunlight exposure. Photodegradation of dyes by nanocomposite was consisting of initial Langmuir adsorption followed by first order kinetics. Comparative to natives, nanocomposite was more capable and lowered the t(1/2) value of EBT (0.6 h) and RB (0.9 h) to a greater extent. The findings were attributed to higher surface area (95 m(2) g(-1)) and particle stability (zeta potential: -40.4 mV) of nanocomposite as well as synergistic effects of parent materials. Mechanism of the photo-catalysis was investigated by using radical scavenger and understanding the steps involved in removal process. Applicability of the nanocomposite for almost ten cycles of dye removal ensures its stability and excellent catalytic efficiency. Overall, present work provides an effective and sustainable photocatalyst having worth of industrial applications. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A nanocomposite of zinc oxide coupled copper hexacyanoferrate was prepared using plant extract, which showed efficient degradation of selected dyes under sunlight exposure. This nanocomposite exhibited high catalytic activity and stability for multiple cycles of dye removal, indicating its potential for industrial applications.