PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ZnO/G-C3 N4 FOR PHOTO-REMOVAL OF METHYL ORANGE UNDER LOW UV-LIGHT INTENSITY; [Pencirian Fizikokimia ZnO/g-C3N4 untuk Penyingkiran Metil Oren di Bawah Lampu UV Berkeamatan Rendah]

• Published in: Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences
• Main Author: Izhar N.I.; Hir Z.A.M.; Rafaie H.A.; Daud S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85193018699&partnerID=40&md5=e8a8a5c12ebabe566d4d6a0f6c1f7815

UV light-active photocatalyst of ZnO/g-C3N4 was synthesized by a facile mixing method with different ratio of g-C3N4 (0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, and 0.09 g). The photocatalytic activity of ZnO/g-C3N4 was tested towards methyl orange (MO) dye in aqueous solution using a low UV light intensity (7W). FTIR spectroscopic results obtained show the functional groups spectrum corresponding to the ZnO and g-C3N4. Besides, SEM results also show the formation of heterogenous photocatalysts as irregular shape particles of ZnO interlink with g-C3N4 surface. EDX analysis confirms the presence of Zn, C, O, and N elements correspond to ZnO/g-C3N4 photocatalyst. From the results obtained, ZG3 (0.1:0.03) photocatalysts exhibit almost complete removal of methyl orange under UV irradiation in a period of 60 min (~95%). The highest degradation rate constant of 5.26 × 10-2 min−1, based on pseudo-first-order kinetics is estimated. The best photocatalyst (ZG3) showed high potential in degrading MO under low UV light intensity which can be used for photocatalytic water remediation application. © 2024, Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences. All rights reserved.