Abstract:
The photocatalysis of ZnO/Fe was performed by the simple microwave method
for the removal of methylene blue. All samples were found to possess a singlephase monoclinic scheelite structure. On loading 5.0 mol% of Fe to the samples,
the photocatalytic activities were enhanced, suggesting the potential application
of the material as a superior visible light-driven photocatalyst relative to pure
ZnO for the decolorization of methylene blue dye. The enhanced decolorization
activity of the photocatalyst demonstrated the ability of Fe to reduce the band
gap energy of ZnO and improve the electron transfer in the ZnO/Fe adsorbent.
Moreover, the ultraviolet–visible absorption experiments exhibited an excellent
decolorization rate (30 min) along with a decolorization efficiency of 93% upon
the UV irradiation of ZnO/Fe in the pH range. The possible reaction mechanism
and decolorization pathway of the photocatalyst were discussed in detail, and
the stability of the catalyst was confirmed by the reusability test.
