Enhancing photocatalytic efficiency with Mn-doped ZnO composite carbon nanofibers for organic dye degradation

Krittiya Singcharoen; Ratthapol Rangkupan; Soontree Khuntong; Thanakorn Wasanapiarnpong; Krittiya Singcharoen; Ratthapol Rangkupan; Soontree Khuntong; Thanakorn Wasanapiarnpong

doi:10.3934/environsci.2024015

AIMS Environmental Science

2024, Volume 11, Issue 2: 324-341. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2024015

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Research article

Enhancing photocatalytic efficiency with Mn-doped ZnO composite carbon nanofibers for organic dye degradation

1.
Nanoscience and Technology (International Program), Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
2.
Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
3.
Faculty of Science at Sriracha, Kasetsart University Sriracha Campus, Chonburi 20230, Thailand
4.
Department of Materials of Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
5.
Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Received: 12 October 2023 Revised: 26 December 2023 Accepted: 14 May 2023 Published: 23 May 2024

In this study, Mn-doped ZnO composite carbon nanofibers (Mn-ZnO/CNFs) were prepared via a simple blending and electrospinning (ES) method, followed by a thermal treatment. These fibers were used to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of an organic dye under UV and visible light irradiation. The results showed that Mn-ZnO/CNFs were successfully prepared under the same conditions used for CNFs preparation conditions, which induced a morphological change from a smooth to a rough surface compared to the CNFs. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed the formation of Mn-doped ZnO on the CNFs' surface. Furthermore, the addition of the catalyst significantly increased in the specific surface area, and a N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis revealed that all samples had mesoporous characteristics with a type IV isotherm index. The photocatalytic activity of the Mn-ZnO/CNFs carbonized at 650 ℃ using methylene blue (MB) dye as a model pollutant was investigated. All prepared samples effectively removed the MB with a degradation rate of 70-90%. The kinetic reaction rate was described using the simplified Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation. Overall, the CNFs and composites nanofibers developed through moderate thermal treatment processes possessed a high specific surface area and oxygen vacancy, enabling their potential use as adsorbents and as a catalyst support for reactions at room-to-elevated temperatures, as well as photocatalysts for the removal of organic contaminants.
- carbon nanofibers,
- Mn-doped zinc oxide,
- electrospinning,
- photocatalysis,
- organic dye
Citation: Krittiya Singcharoen, Ratthapol Rangkupan, Soontree Khuntong, Thanakorn Wasanapiarnpong. Enhancing photocatalytic efficiency with Mn-doped ZnO composite carbon nanofibers for organic dye degradation[J]. AIMS Environmental Science, 2024, 11(2): 324-341. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2024015

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Abstract

In this study, Mn-doped ZnO composite carbon nanofibers (Mn-ZnO/CNFs) were prepared via a simple blending and electrospinning (ES) method, followed by a thermal treatment. These fibers were used to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of an organic dye under UV and visible light irradiation. The results showed that Mn-ZnO/CNFs were successfully prepared under the same conditions used for CNFs preparation conditions, which induced a morphological change from a smooth to a rough surface compared to the CNFs. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed the formation of Mn-doped ZnO on the CNFs' surface. Furthermore, the addition of the catalyst significantly increased in the specific surface area, and a N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis revealed that all samples had mesoporous characteristics with a type IV isotherm index. The photocatalytic activity of the Mn-ZnO/CNFs carbonized at 650 ℃ using methylene blue (MB) dye as a model pollutant was investigated. All prepared samples effectively removed the MB with a degradation rate of 70-90%. The kinetic reaction rate was described using the simplified Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation. Overall, the CNFs and composites nanofibers developed through moderate thermal treatment processes possessed a high specific surface area and oxygen vacancy, enabling their potential use as adsorbents and as a catalyst support for reactions at room-to-elevated temperatures, as well as photocatalysts for the removal of organic contaminants.

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