Intensified photocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzene by Pickering emulsion of ZnO nanoparticles

In this paper, zinc oxide nanoparticles were first prepared and surface-modified. A Pickering emulsion was then prepared, consisting of nitrobenzene (oil phase), water (water phase) and the modified zinc oxide nanoparticles located on the water–oil interface. The effects of different emulsions on the removal rate of nitrobenzene by photocatalytic degradation were studied. The results proved that use of a Pickering emulsion stabilized by surface-modified ZnO nanoparticles provides an effective and novel way to intensify the photocatalytic degradation of the organic contaminant.

Graphical abstractA Pickering emulsion was prepared, consisting of nitrobenzene, water and surface-modified ZnO nanoparticles located on the water-oil interface. The results proved that use of a Pickering emulsion stabilized by modified ZnO nanoparticles provides an effective and novel way to intensify the photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide