Effect of the supported ZnO on clinoptilolite nano-particles in the photodecolorization of semi-real sample bromothymol blue aqueous solution

Photodecolorization of bromothymol blue (BTB) aqueous solution using supported ZnO onto clinoptilolite nanoparticles (NCP) under Hg lamp irradiation was studied. NCP was prepared by a mechanical method using a planetary ball mill. ZnO supported samples (ZnO–NCP) were obtained by calcinations at 450 °C for 12 h followed by ion exchanging of the parent NCP with zinc(II) nitrate aqueous solutions (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 M) for 24 h. Raw and modified samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, DRS, TEM, SEM and BET. The degradation extent was monitored by UV–vis absorption as well as COD. The decolorization kinetics was fitted well to the Langmuire–Hinselwood first order rate law.