KINETICS OF PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF METHYL ORANGE USING CuO-α-Fe2O3 NANOCOMPOSITE UNDER VISIBLE LIGHT IRRADIATION

The treatment of textile azo dyes in wastewater has posed a significant challenge for decades due to their remarkable chemical, photolytic, and microbiological stability. This research focuses on the development of nanocomposite that offers a relatively easy method for converting visible light energy into the destruction of the chemical linkages found in azo dyes. This process not only reduces the hazard posed by these materials but also aids in the essential color removal required in wastewater treatment. To ensure enhance optical properties and high surface area, co-precipitation method was employed in the nanocomposite synthesis. A photocatalytic activity test was conducted using methyl orange as a model azo dye. The results indicated that the composite exhibited an excellent activity, achieving a degradation rate of up to 71.6%. In comparison, the degradation rates for CuO and α-Fe2O3 were only 26.4% and 34.8%, respectively. The microstructure, crystallinity and morphology of the nanocomposite were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A kinetic study of the reaction revealed that the catalytic activity followed a pseudo-first-order reaction model. In summary, this research demonstrates the potential of the nanocomposite. The findings highlight its superior performance compared to the pure forms of CuO and α-Fe2O4 catalysts, making it a promising candidate for applications in environmental remediation.