Structural, Optical, and Renewable Energy-Assisted Photocatalytic Dye Degradation Studies of ZnO, CuZnO, and CoZnO Nanostructures for Wastewater Treatment

Renewable energy can be harnessed from wastewater, whether municipalities or industries, but this potential is often ignored. The world generates over 900 km3 of wastewater annually, which typically treated through energy-consuming processes, despite its for production. Environmental pollution a most important and serious issue all their adulterations to the aquatic system are very toxic in low concentrations. Photocatalysis prominent approach eliminating risky elements environment. present study developed Zinc oxide (ZnO), Copper-doped (CuZnO), Cobalt-doped (CoZnO) nanostructures (NSs) by facile hydrothermal route. crystalline structural stability synthesized were evident XRD FESEM analysis. Metal, oxygen bond interaction on surfaces valency explored XPS spectra. Optical orientations electron movements revealed UV-Visible After 100 min exposure time with 1 g catalyst concentration 60%, 70%, 89% dye degraded, (5 mg/L 50 mg/L), huge variation observed (70% 22%), (80% 16%), (94% 10%). highest photodegradation rate (55%, 75%, 90%) was pH~12 using ZnO, CoZnO, CuZnO respectively. Photodegradation methylene blue confirmed largest surface area, recombination, photo-excited charge carriers, photo-sensitivity range, radical generations CuZnO, CoZnO. study, therefore, suggested that would preferred produce nanomaterials industrial treatment like methylene.