Using ZnO based on Bentonite as a nano photocatalyst for degradation of Acid Red 114 in synthetic wastewater

In this project, the removal of Acid Red 114(AR 114) that is a mono Azoo dye withglobal usage in an aqueous environment was explored by nano photocatalyticprocess. The ZnO was supported on Bentonite and used at suspension state ina batch photoreactor. The catalyst was synthesized by co precipitation methodsand characterized by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction(XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The effect of operationalvariables including pH, initial concentration of Acid red 114, amounts of catalystsand temperature were investigated on the removal efficiency of AR114. Theoptimum conditions were achieved at 1g/l of catalyst, 30 mg/l of AR 114, pH of9 and temperature at 35oC. The removal of AR 114 in UV, UV/ZnO, and UV/ZnO/Bentonite process were 26.5, 55 and 92.5% after 2 h of treatment, respectively.The photo catalytic degradation mechanism was described and the efficiency ofthe process increased considerably by modification of photocatalyst.