Author/Authors :
Idowu Sonde, Olubori Department of Chemistry - Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta - Ogun State, Nigeria , Gbenga Peleyeju, Moses Department of Applied Chemistry - University of Johannesburg, South Africa , Oladipupo Oladoyinbo, Fatai Department of Chemistry - Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta - Ogun State, Nigeria , Rasaq Oloyede, Adejare Biotechnology Centre - Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta - Ogun State, Nigeria , Adeniyi Afolabi, Tajudeen Department of Chemistry - Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta - Ogun State, Nigeria , Adekola Adesokan, Hameed Department of Chemistry - Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta - Ogun State, Nigeria , Ademola Arotiba, Omotayo Department of Applied Chemistry - University of Johannesburg, South Africa , Olugbenga Dare, Enoch Department of Chemistry - Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta - Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract :
We report the synthesis and application of a novel Exfoliated graphite/Selenium-Zinc oxide
(EG/Se-ZnO) nanocomposite for photodegradation of methylene blue dye and its antibacterial
activity. The composite was characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM. Applicability of EG/
Se-ZnO nanocomposite as photocatalyst was investigated by the photocatalytic degradation
of methylene blue as a model for organic pollutant. The XRD has its highest peak at 101 which
indicated that ion diffusion was free from solvent viscosity (peak at 002). FTIR spectra confirmed
the formation of EG/Se-ZnO nanocomposite as band at 882 cm-1 and 612 cm-1, 727 cm-1, 1373
cm-1 were associated with vibrational frequency of ZnO lattice and Selenium respectively..
The SEM revealed cloudy large particles of the synthesized EG/Se-ZnO composite. TEM image
revealed mini-rodlike nanoparticles. 99.5% degradation of methylene blue dye was achieved
within 90 minutes of irradiation. The reactions followed first order kinetics with the rate
constant of 5.79x10 -2 min-1 and R2 value of 0.9. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of EG/Se-
ZnO was ascribed to the capability of graphitic layers to accept and transport electrons from
the excited ZnO promoting charge separation. The antibacterial activity was also evaluated
for the ZnO (bulk) and EG/Se-ZnO nanocomposite against the control (ciprofloxacin) and zone
of inhibition observed was on E. coli and E.cloacae respectively depicted that EG/Se-ZnO was
more effective on E. coli relatively to bulk ZnO. Thus, EG/Se-ZnO nanocomposite can be used
for photocatalytic organic pollutant degradation.
Keywords :
Nanocomposite , Photocatalyst , Photodegradation , Graphite , Selenium-Zinc oxide , Methylene blue
