Photocatalytic degradation of highly toxic dyes using chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide)/ZnS in presence of solar irradiation

•Chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide)/ZnS nanocomposite was synthesized.•Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and congo red (CR) dyes.•ZS/ChPA composite showed a higher rate of dye degradation.

The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and congo red (CR) dyes from aqueous solution have been attempted using chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide)/ZnS (ChPA/ZS) nanocomposite materials. Nanocomposites were successfully prepared in the aqueous solution through microwave radiations. Band gap property of composite was studied using UV–vis spectrophotometer. The ChPA/ZS nanocomposite was characterized by various techniques. The photocatalytic activity of ChPA/ZS was evaluated for methyl orange and congo red dyes degradation in aqueous solution under simulated solar irradiation. The degradation of dyes was recorded higher for ChPA/ZS nanocomposite. After 2 h of irradiation, 75% of congo red dye was degraded and 69% of methyl orange was degraded after 4 h of simulated solar irradiation. ChPA/ZS composite showed a higher rate of dye degradation owing to outstanding adsorbing properties of cross linked polyacrylamide.

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