Characterization of AC–ZnO catalyst and its photocatalytic activity on 4-acetylphenol degradation

The activated carbon–zinc oxide catalysts prepared with different portions of activated carbon (AC) have been characterized by diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), FT-IR, scanning electron micrograph (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and BET surface area analysis. Changes in some of the physico-chemical characteristics of ZnO have been observed. It is found that these changes correspond with ZnO surface acid–base property. SEM study reveals a perfect ZnO particle distribution on the AC surface in the catalyst with 9%AC content (9AC–ZnO). Adsorption and photodegradation of 4-AP on 9AC–ZnO are much more higher than bare ZnO. The higher efficiency of this photocatalyst is due to the synergistic effect between ZnO and activated carbon. The catalyst is found to be reusable.