A Comparative Study of Sol–Gel Synthesized ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen

The large surface area for pollutant adsorption and low charge recombination exhibited by carbon-based nanocomposites enhances the performance efficiency of photocatalysts. Herein, the performance of ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites in the photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen under UV irr...

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Main Authors: Judith Chebwogen, Francis W. Nyongesa, Julius M. Mwabora, Gershom M. Ntshani, Patrick G. Ndungu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Photoenergy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ijph/9216858
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author Judith Chebwogen
Francis W. Nyongesa
Julius M. Mwabora
Gershom M. Ntshani
Patrick G. Ndungu
author_facet Judith Chebwogen
Francis W. Nyongesa
Julius M. Mwabora
Gershom M. Ntshani
Patrick G. Ndungu
author_sort Judith Chebwogen
collection DOAJ
description The large surface area for pollutant adsorption and low charge recombination exhibited by carbon-based nanocomposites enhances the performance efficiency of photocatalysts. Herein, the performance of ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites in the photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen under UV irradiation was compared. The nanocomposites were synthesized by a facile sol–gel method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties were studied using XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, BET, UV-Vis, and PL characterization techniques. An increase in surface area was observed with the introduction of GO and g-C3N4. The ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites possessed a greater surface area and photocatalytic efficiency than the ZnO/GO nanocomposites. The degradation efficiencies obtained were 84.6% and 61.2% for the best ZnO/g-C3N4 and ZnO/GO nanocomposites, respectively, in 1 μg/mL acetaminophen degradation at pH 7, hence their great potential for environmental remediation applications.
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spelling doaj-art-6839bd931e4f43d1a4eab1236e5a4c092025-08-20T02:15:41ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1687-529X2025-01-01202510.1155/ijph/9216858A Comparative Study of Sol–Gel Synthesized ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites in the Photocatalytic Degradation of AcetaminophenJudith Chebwogen0Francis W. Nyongesa1Julius M. Mwabora2Gershom M. Ntshani3Patrick G. Ndungu4Department of ChemistryDepartment of PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsDepartment of ChemistryDepartment of ChemistryThe large surface area for pollutant adsorption and low charge recombination exhibited by carbon-based nanocomposites enhances the performance efficiency of photocatalysts. Herein, the performance of ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites in the photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen under UV irradiation was compared. The nanocomposites were synthesized by a facile sol–gel method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties were studied using XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, BET, UV-Vis, and PL characterization techniques. An increase in surface area was observed with the introduction of GO and g-C3N4. The ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites possessed a greater surface area and photocatalytic efficiency than the ZnO/GO nanocomposites. The degradation efficiencies obtained were 84.6% and 61.2% for the best ZnO/g-C3N4 and ZnO/GO nanocomposites, respectively, in 1 μg/mL acetaminophen degradation at pH 7, hence their great potential for environmental remediation applications.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ijph/9216858
spellingShingle Judith Chebwogen
Francis W. Nyongesa
Julius M. Mwabora
Gershom M. Ntshani
Patrick G. Ndungu
A Comparative Study of Sol–Gel Synthesized ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen
International Journal of Photoenergy
title A Comparative Study of Sol–Gel Synthesized ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen
title_full A Comparative Study of Sol–Gel Synthesized ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen
title_fullStr A Comparative Study of Sol–Gel Synthesized ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen
title_full_unstemmed A Comparative Study of Sol–Gel Synthesized ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen
title_short A Comparative Study of Sol–Gel Synthesized ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen
title_sort comparative study of sol gel synthesized zno go and zno g c3n4 nanocomposites in the photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ijph/9216858
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