Author(s): Pei Teng Lum, Nor Azazi Zakaria, Keng Yuen Foo
Linked Author(s): Pei Teng Lum
Keywords: Acid red 88, incense ash, nanocomposites, photocatalysis, tin oxide.
Abstract: In this work, the preparation of an incense ash (IA) supported tin oxide (SnO2) nanocomposite via ultrasonication technique has been attempted. The physical and chemical properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The photocatalytic activity was examined using Acid Red 88 (AR 88) as the model pollutant. The operational parameters including the effects of catalyst loadings, initial concentration, contact time and solution pH and on the photocatalytic degradation process were evaluated. The characterization results verified the successful and homogenous deposition of SnO2 on the surface matrix of IA to promote the synergistic implication on the adsorption-photodegradation process. A complete decolorization of the AR 88 has been achieved with a short duration of 95 minutes, with the high concentration of 500 mg/L. Regeneration analysis revealed that this newly prepared nanocomposite demonstrated a high stability and greater than 80% of degradation efficiency even after five degradation successive cycles. The findings illustrated the potential SnO2/IA nanocomposite as a promising candidate for the innovative treatment of water pollutants
Year: 2017