Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of Hematite from Iron Sand Modified ZnO for Indigo Carmine Degradation
Surya Lubis*, Ilham Maulana, Sheilatina, Linda Mahyuni
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala
Abstract
Modification of hematite (α-Fe2O3) with ZnO to produce ZnO/α-Fe2O3 composites by sol gel method and their photocatalytic activity testing on the degradation of indigo carmine (IC) dye has been done. The hematite was extracted from iron sand taken from Syiah Kuala Beach, Deah Raya, Aceh Province by using hydrochloride acid and co-presipitated by using ammonium hydroxide. The ZnO/α-Fe2O3 composites were prepared with the mol ratio of ZnO to α-Fe2O3 1:5, 5:1 and 1:1. The characterization by using X-Ray Difractions (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was conducted in order to study the physical and chemical properties of the materials. The result of photocatalytic activity test showed that composites with the mol ratio of ZnO to α-Fe2O3 1:5 has the highest photocatalytic activity with the percent of degradation (% D) of IC are 91,67% and 93,18% under UV light and sunlight irradiation, respectively. These highest of photocatalytic activity was obtained at the initial pH of dye solution =1, photocatalyst dosage of 300 mg, initial dye concentration was 15 ppm and irradiation time 120 minutes under UV light and 90 minutes under sunlight.
Keywords: hematite; ZnO; indigo carmine: photocatalyst; sol gel
Topic: Chemistry