Fabrication of (Ni, S)-Codoped ZnO Nanophotocatalysts as Efficient Solar-Light Driven Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Azo Dyes in Aqueous Media

In this study, a visible-light-active undoped ZnO and (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalyst was synthesized in nano form using the co-precipitation method with ZnSO₄•7H₂O as a precursor. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized photocatalyst were analyzed through spectroscopic meth...

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Main Authors: D. Sonia, E K Kirupa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Iranian Environmental Mutagen Society 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Water and Environmental Nanotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.jwent.net/article_724949_57bb16cde22f52e4fdb9fe242fa5f3b9.pdf
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author D. Sonia
E K Kirupa
author_facet D. Sonia
E K Kirupa
author_sort D. Sonia
collection DOAJ
description In this study, a visible-light-active undoped ZnO and (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalyst was synthesized in nano form using the co-precipitation method with ZnSO₄•7H₂O as a precursor. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized photocatalyst were analyzed through spectroscopic methods, including XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDAX, TEM, and UV-DRS analyses.  The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized materials was tested on an azo dye, Direct Red-81 and its degradation efficiency was evaluated.    The results revealed that 100% of Direct Red-81 azo dye was degraded using (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalysts (0.1 g/100 mL) under visible light irradiation within 20 minutes. Moreover, 99% mineralization was confirmed using COD and TOC analyses.   The reaction rate followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.064 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹. Furthermore, the photocatalysts demonstrated reusability and were effective for eight consecutive cycles without any loss in efficiency. These findings illustrate the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalyst, which is attributed to the reduced rate of electron-hole recombination reactions. Additionally, the synthesized nanoparticles were eco-friendly, stable, and well-organized, making them suitable for the treatment of industrial and agricultural wastewater containing organic contaminants in relatively shorter periods under sunlight irradiation. Hence, the synthesized (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalyst serves as a significant tool for the treatment of effluents in various environmental applications.
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spelling doaj-art-2cb7d7cb31004f4babaa51eaeddfd59a2025-08-20T03:07:14ZengIranian Environmental Mutagen SocietyJournal of Water and Environmental Nanotechnology2476-72042476-66152025-05-0110218419910.22090/jwent.2025.02.007724949Fabrication of (Ni, S)-Codoped ZnO Nanophotocatalysts as Efficient Solar-Light Driven Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Azo Dyes in Aqueous MediaD. Sonia0E K Kirupa1esearch Scholar (Reg no: 20123112032018), Department of Chemistry & Research Centre, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam-629165(Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli), Tamil Nadu, IndiaAssistant Professor, Department of Chemistry & Research Centre, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam-629165(Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli), Tamilnadu, IndiaIn this study, a visible-light-active undoped ZnO and (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalyst was synthesized in nano form using the co-precipitation method with ZnSO₄•7H₂O as a precursor. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized photocatalyst were analyzed through spectroscopic methods, including XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDAX, TEM, and UV-DRS analyses.  The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized materials was tested on an azo dye, Direct Red-81 and its degradation efficiency was evaluated.    The results revealed that 100% of Direct Red-81 azo dye was degraded using (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalysts (0.1 g/100 mL) under visible light irradiation within 20 minutes. Moreover, 99% mineralization was confirmed using COD and TOC analyses.   The reaction rate followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.064 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹. Furthermore, the photocatalysts demonstrated reusability and were effective for eight consecutive cycles without any loss in efficiency. These findings illustrate the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalyst, which is attributed to the reduced rate of electron-hole recombination reactions. Additionally, the synthesized nanoparticles were eco-friendly, stable, and well-organized, making them suitable for the treatment of industrial and agricultural wastewater containing organic contaminants in relatively shorter periods under sunlight irradiation. Hence, the synthesized (Ni, S)-codoped ZnO photocatalyst serves as a significant tool for the treatment of effluents in various environmental applications.https://www.jwent.net/article_724949_57bb16cde22f52e4fdb9fe242fa5f3b9.pdfphotodegradationvisible lightdirect red 81pollutantmineralisation
spellingShingle D. Sonia
E K Kirupa
Fabrication of (Ni, S)-Codoped ZnO Nanophotocatalysts as Efficient Solar-Light Driven Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Azo Dyes in Aqueous Media
Journal of Water and Environmental Nanotechnology
photodegradation
visible light
direct red 81
pollutant
mineralisation
title Fabrication of (Ni, S)-Codoped ZnO Nanophotocatalysts as Efficient Solar-Light Driven Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Azo Dyes in Aqueous Media
title_full Fabrication of (Ni, S)-Codoped ZnO Nanophotocatalysts as Efficient Solar-Light Driven Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Azo Dyes in Aqueous Media
title_fullStr Fabrication of (Ni, S)-Codoped ZnO Nanophotocatalysts as Efficient Solar-Light Driven Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Azo Dyes in Aqueous Media
title_full_unstemmed Fabrication of (Ni, S)-Codoped ZnO Nanophotocatalysts as Efficient Solar-Light Driven Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Azo Dyes in Aqueous Media
title_short Fabrication of (Ni, S)-Codoped ZnO Nanophotocatalysts as Efficient Solar-Light Driven Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Azo Dyes in Aqueous Media
title_sort fabrication of ni s codoped zno nanophotocatalysts as efficient solar light driven photocatalysts for the degradation of organic azo dyes in aqueous media
topic photodegradation
visible light
direct red 81
pollutant
mineralisation
url https://www.jwent.net/article_724949_57bb16cde22f52e4fdb9fe242fa5f3b9.pdf
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AT ekkirupa fabricationofniscodopedznonanophotocatalystsasefficientsolarlightdrivenphotocatalystsforthedegradationoforganicazodyesinaqueousmedia