Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Eco-friendly ZnCr/C-LDH Nanocatalyst

*1Maimuna U. Zarewa and 2Abdulfatah S. Muhammad

1 Department of Applied Chemistry, Federal University, DutsinMa. Katsina State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.

Corresponding author: muzarewa@fudutsinma.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607tsrqp


ABSTRACT

ZnCr/C layered double hydroxide (LDH) was synthesized using the co-precipitation method. The LDH photo-Catalyst was characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The 2ϴ values at 13.5, 24.5 and 32.5 in XRD confirmed the formation of the Layered double hydroxide structure. The lower band gap energy at 1.84eV suggests that the catalyst works well in the UV-visible region. The photocatalytic activity of the LDH under UV-Irradiation in aqueous Congo red (CR) was studied under optimal operational parametric conditions (Concentration, catalytic dosage and pH). The kinetics of the photocatalytic activity was investigated using the Langmuir Hinshelwood model. The LDH Shows excellent recyclability, durability and stability even after the fourth cycle.

Keywords:

Layered double
Hydroxide,
UV-irradiation,
Catalyst recovery,
Congo red