Simple and eco-friendly synthesis of recoverable zinc cobalt oxide-based ceramic nanostructure as high-performance photocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic removal of organic contamination under solar light

Abstract

Organic dyes as remarkable effluents from various industries have caused unwanted environmental contamination. In this investigation, ZnCo2O4-Co3O4 nanostructure was fabricated utilizing a new and green reducer and stabilizer (Phoenix dactylifera extract), for the first time. The nanostructure was employed as a recyclable photocatalyst for degrading organic dyes such as Rhodamine B, Acid Black 1 and phenol red under visible illumination. The photocatalytic yield was highly efficient. A significant factor (dosage of Phoenix dactylifera extract) that affects the shape, dimension, and catalytic yield of ZnCo2O4-Co3O4 product was examined and its optimal quantity was determined. Different techniques were utilized to identify and check the properties of ZnCo2O4-Co3O4 product. The findings revealed that 100, 95.7 and 100% of Rhodamine B, Acid Black 1 and phenol red as target contaminants were degraded utilizing ZnCo2O4-Co3O4 product, respectively, within 75 min under visible illumination. Further, the nanoscale ZnCo2O4-Co3O4 product (produced using Phoenix dactylifera extract) possessed very good stability and recyclability without any noticeable reduction in the catalytic yield up to nine runs. These outcomes suggest that ZnCo2O4-Co3O4 product (produced via Phoenix dactylifera extract) may be an effective kind of recyclable photocatalyst to eliminate environmental contaminants.