Electrodeposited ZNO/ZN photocatalysts for the degradation of benzene-toluene-xylene mixture in aqueous phase

Abstract

The recognition of the ability of volatile organic compounds, (VOCs) to pollute the ground water is now well documented. VOCs such as benzene, toluene and xylene from the petroleum industries processed water leaked through the underground old piping system into the soils and groundwater during its transportation to the wastewater plant. Photocatalysis have been used as a potential system in the degradation of VOCs in the wastewater. However, the powdered form photocatalysts that were used in various studies are difficult to be separated from the aqueous solution at the end of the treatment. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to prepare the electrodeposited photocatalysts for the degradation of aromatic hydrocarbon mixture, benzene-toluene-xylene (BTX) solution under UV light (354 nm). The concentrations of electrolyte and electrodeposition voltages used to prepare the photocatalysts were studied for their efficiency in the degradation. From the research, ZnO/Zn prepared in 0.8 M NaOH and under 12 V possessed the best catalytic degradation performance by degrading 32.37% of BTX in the solution. The ZnO/Zn photocatalyst was characterized using X-ray Diffraction Techniques (XRD) which illustrated high crystallinity of Zn species and reasonably high amorphous phase of ZnO species.