Synergism and effect of operational parameters on solar photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye (Direct Yellow 4) using activated carbon-loaded zinc oxide

The photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye Direct Yellow 4 (DY 4) using Activated Carbon loaded ZnO (AC-ZnO) as a photocatalyst in aqueous solution has been investigated under solar irradiation. Among the activated carbons loaded from three different sources, commercial AC (ACSD ) loaded ZnO was found to be more efficient in the degradation of Direct Yellow 4 (DY 4) in solar light. The effects of operational parameters such as pH of the solution, amount of catalyst, initial dye concentration and effect of grinding for ACSD loading on photodegradation of DY 4 were analyzed. The degradation of DY 4 follows pseudo-first order kinetics according to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. Synergistic effect of ACSD-ZnO is shown by the synergistic factor of 2.0.

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