Hydrothermal sol–gel synthesis of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles for enhanced degradation of Congo Red

• Hydrothermal sol–gel method was used to create ZrO 2 nanoparticles. • ZrO 2 nanoparticles were analyzed employing XRD, SEM, X-ray, XPS, and FTIR. • Results showed that Congo Red dye could be removed by ZrO 2 nanoparticles. • The thermodynamics of the photodegradation mechanism were optimized by several parameters. This paper presents a green method to prepare zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) nanoparticles via hydrothermal sol–gel synthesis and documents the associated experiments. The made ZrO 2 nanoparticles were analyzed employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Besides, the outcomes visualize the attainment of ZrO 2 nanoparticles’ crystalline structure with a hallmark shape. The breakdown of Congo Red dye was employed to confirm the catalytic competence of those nanoparticles that are under the influence. The great photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles caused substantial portions of the dye to be decomposed in an extremely short time. The thermodynamics of the photodegradation mechanism were optimized by several parameters that were researched. Duration of irradiation, pH, catalyst dosage, and initial dye concentration were some of the studied variables. The degradation reached its best conditions after the optimization of various parameters when a catalyst dosage of 10 mg/L, a pH of 7, and an irradiation time of 100 min were chosen. This particular set-up allowed for the attainment of a degradation efficiency of more than 90 % which is quite amazing. ZrO 2 nanoparticles made through green synthesis, an environmentally friendly and sustainable route, can be an alternative to the traditional chemical processes. These materials may be utilized for the remediation of nature.