Photocatalytic activity of reticulated ZnO porous ceramics in degradation of azo dye molecules

Reticulated ZnO ceramics with an open cell three-dimensional network structure were processed in the present study by polymer sponge replication method. The fabricated highly porous ceramics were used as catalysts in ultraviolet (UV) light-assisted degradation of an azo dye (Reactive Red 180 (RR180)). Decolorization of a model 50 mg/L aqueous solution of RR180 and removal of its by-products (total organic carbon (TOC) efficiencies) were significantly improved by this reticulated ZnO structure as compared with those of “solid” plate-shaped catalysts produced by tape casting method for our previous investigations. After 180 min total processing time for the 500 mL solution under UVC irradiation and for the same amount of catalyst (11 g), the performances of 82.6% and 48.0% for color removal and 18.3% and 5.5% for TOC removal were reached in the presence of the reticulated and the plate-shaped ZnO catalysts, respectively.