Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under visible light irradiation using In/ZnO nanocomposite

Abstract

Copyright © 2017 American Scientific Publishers. GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber was prepared by a simple method using ethyl cellulose as matrix polymer. palladium was deposited on surface of GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber. GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber and Pd/GdBa2Cu3O7nanocomposites were characterized by different techniques such as FESEM, PL, UV-Vis, BET, XPS and XRD techniques. Photocatalytic performance of GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber and Pd/GdBa2Cu3O7nanocomposites was measured by study degradation of methylene blue dye under visible light irradiation. The results reveal that deposition of Pd on surface of GdBa2Cu3O7has no significant effect on characteristic peaks of GdBa2Cu3O7, which means palladium is well dispersed on surface of GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber. XPS results reveal that state of deposited palladium is metallic palladium. BET of GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber and Pd/GdBa2Cu3O7 nanocomposites results reveal that BET of GdBa2Cu3O7nanocomposites is small than that of GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber due to block of some pores of GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber by deposition of palladium. Weight percent of deposited palladium plays important role in determining band gap energy and photocatalytic activity of GdBa2Cu3O7nanofiber for degradation of methylene blue dye. 0.6 wt% Pd/GdBa2Cu3O7nanocomposite has the highest photocatalytic activity and lowest band gap. 0.6 wt% Pd/GdBa2Cu3O7nanocomposite can be used for five times for degradation of methylene blue dye.