Photoreduction of Cr(VI) in water using Bi2O3- ZrO2 nanocomposite under visible light irradiation

Kumaravel Vignesh, Rajarajan Priyanka, Muthuramalingam Rajarajan, Ayyadurai Suganthi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Chromium(VI) is a common heavy metal pollutant and extensively used in variety of industrial processes. In the present study, bismuth oxide-zirconium oxide nanocomposite (Bi2O3-ZrO2) was synthesized to improve photoreduction of Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation. The synthesized photocatalyst was characterized by UV-visible-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (B.E.T) surface area analysis and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Bi2O 3-ZrO2 was found to be more photoactive than Bi 2O3, ZrO2, TiO2 and ZnO for the reduction of Cr (VI). The influences of various reaction parameters like the effect of catalyst concentration, initial Cr(VI) concentration and addition of inorganic salts on the photocatalytic activity have been investigated in detail. Meanwhile, the stability of Bi2O3-ZrO2 was investigated by repeatedly performing Cr(VI) photoreducing experiments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)149-157
Number of pages9
JournalMaterials Science and Engineering: B
Volume178
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cr(VI) reduction
  • Nanocomposite
  • Photocatalysis
  • Visible light

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Photoreduction of Cr(VI) in water using Bi2O3- ZrO2 nanocomposite under visible light irradiation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this