Structural and photocatalytic degradation studies of rice straw based MgO nanocomposite

Abstract

The present study is focused on the comparison of structural and photocatalytic degradation activities of nanocomposite of MgO formed with rice straw, a biopolymer. For comparison, counter parts were also synthesized. Nanoparticles of magnesium oxide were synthesized through controlled co-precipitation method in presence of citric acid. Structural characterizations of all the synthesized samples were carried out using XRD. Comparison of XRD of metal oxide with JCPDS confirmed that the formed metal oxide was MgO. Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes Congo Red, an acidic dye and Methylene Blue, a basic dye was done.