Photocatalytic Detoxification of NBB Dye Over Cerium Loaded Ag–ZnO Photocatalyst Under UV-A Light Irradiation

The Ce co-doped Ag-ZnO, expresses the photocatalyst Ce–Ag–ZnO, which was effectively produced by a simple solvothermal technique. In this catalytic process, several properties of the catalysts were taken into account to check that the catalyst gets characterized properly. These catalytic properties include X- ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) images, Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS), Diffuse Reflectance Spectra (DRS), PhotoLuminescence spectra (PL), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and BET surface area measurements. In our research work, the process done in solvothermal method, which synthesized Ce co-doped Ag-ZnO, the so called photocatalyst Ce–Ag–ZnO, showed a positive effect. A part of our vision to find the phototcatalytic activity of Ce-Ag-ZnO was carried out for the degradation process of Naphthol Blue Black (NBB) dye in aqueous solution as a medium under the irradiation of UV-A light. The ZnO which was present, absorbed in UV and visible region were shifted by the co-dopants. For the process of mineralization of NBB dye under UV-A light at pH value 9, the efficient one was proved to be Ce– Ag–ZnO when compared with Ag–ZnO, Ce–ZnO, commercial ZnO, prepared ZnO, TiO2-P25 and TiO2 (Merck). The impacts of operational parameters like, the amount of photocatalyst technically called as photocatalytic dosage, the concentration of the dye and initial pH value on photo mineralization of NBB dye were examined. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) measurements also proved the mineralization process of Naphthol Blue Black (NBB) dye. Under UV-A light, the degradation of naphthol blue black dye is done by a degradation mechanism. The catalyst is finally proved to have the property of reusability.