Synthesis of Al2O3-ZrO2-CuO Nano-Composites for the treatment of carcinogenic dyes from waste water

Title : Synthesis of Al2O3-ZrO2-CuO Nano-Composites for the treatment of carcinogenic dyes from waste water

Abstract:

The synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic efficiency of non-traditional Al₂O₃-ZrO₂-CuO-TiO₂ Nano photo catalysts is reported. The Al₂O₃-TiO₂ support was loaded with different percentage of CuO and ZrO₂. A perfect agreement was found between the band gaps of synthesized Nano composite measured by UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) in the solid phase and aqueous medium by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the composite nature of these catalysts with the preservation of individual uniqueness of each component. The average crystallite size of these composites was found to be in the range of 30 to 50 nm. The Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirms the presence of CuO and ZrO₂ at the surface of Al₂O₃-TiO₂ support, while Rutherford Back Scattering Spectroscopy (RBS) shows the quantity of the modifiers according to theoretical data. These composites showed an enhanced photocatalytic activity under sunlight for the degradation of dyes. The kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of carcinogenic dyes was evaluated for optimum correlation with the existing models. The stability of the photocatalysts against the photo-corrosion was monitored by analyzing the samples for respective metals in solution after sunlight exposure. In another experiment the efficiency of these composites was also studied under vacuum and high pressure (upto 10 bar). A degradation efficiency of about 99% of these catalysts against dyes was found within only one hour.

Keywords: Dyes, Nano-composites, photocatalysis, vacuum, sunlight.

Biography:

I have completed my MS (Environmental Engineering) in 2005 from National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. After that I completed Ph.D. degree in the field of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Over a 32 years career in Research and Teaching in Educational and Research Organization in Pakistan. I have played an essential role in developing and improving a wide range of Noval- materials for industrial applications. My great interest is the mitigation and remediation of industrial pollution to save earth. My Research focus on Textile waste water treatment, Solar cell, Lithium-ion battery and effect of heavy metals on seed germination where I have found my biggest passion. The motto that has driven my work all these years in technology hasn't changed.