A photocatalyst: Zinc sulfides nanospheres immobilized on activated carbon for the abatement of aquatic organic pollutants

Formulation of visible light responsive photocatalyst with excellent adsorption and great electron-holes reduc-tion in semiconductor-based catalyst is always a major concern for scientific community. In this report a visible light responsive ZnS nanospheres immobilized on activated carbon (AC-ZnS) photocatalyst was prepared by mixed solvothermal method. The crystallographic properties, morphologies, thermal stability, adsorption properties and photocatalytic performance of prepared samples were studied by several methods. The results of XRD were used to analyze various physical parameters of prepared catalyst. The nanocomposite photocatalysts were used to analyze adsorption and photocatalytic study on Congo red dye, a model organic pollutant. The adsorption followed by photocatalysis with as-prepared catalyst offers an excellent performance for the abate-ment of Congo red. Moreover, radical scavengers study revealed that hydroxyl radicals are the main contributors for the photocatalytic degradation of Congo red with AC-ZnS nanocomposite. Eventually, through various characterizations and synergy of effective adsorption and enhanced photocatalytic degradation, AC-ZnS nano-composite proved to be an economical, environmentally friendly and highly efficient material for photocatalytic processes.

Automated summary

In this study, a visible light responsive ZnS nanospheres immobilized on activated carbon photocatalyst was prepared, showing excellent performance in adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of the model organic pollutant Congo red. Radical scavenger study revealed that hydroxyl radicals are the main contributors for the photocatalytic degradation of Congo red with the AC-ZnS nanocomposite.