Photocatalytic degradation of Congo red by ZnO nanoparticles with different morphology

In this study, ZnO nanoparticles in three shapes, spherical, rod, and sheet are synthesized by a hydrothermal method using three different surfactants, namely three ethanol amine, cetyl three methyl ammonium bromide, and sodium dodecyl sulfate. In all cases, the chemical composition, powder identification, morphology. and particle size of the final product are characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FESEM), EDX elemental analysis, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles are investigated for degradation of organic pollutants (Congo red dye). The removal tests of Congo red as a water organic pollutant indicates photocatalytic activity and absorption ability of synthesized zinc oxides. Finally, the comparison of the dye removal results show that the rod nanoparticle has more efficiency in the degradation of Congo red with 97% yield over 2 hours at pH=8.