Synthesis and Characterization of Co–ZnO and Evaluation of Its Photocatalytic Activity for Photodegradation of Methyl Orange

Photocatalysis is one of the techniques used for the eradication of organic pollutants from wastewater. In this study, Co–ZnO was tested as a photocatalyst for the degradation of methyl orange under irradiation of visible light. Co–ZnO loaded with 5%, 10%, and 15% Co was prepared by the precipitation method. The advanced techniques including X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical measurements, temperature-programmed desorption, photoluminescence, and fluorescence spectroscopy related to OH• measurements were used for characterization of prepared Co–ZnO. Experiments showed that 10% Co–ZnO was a highly efficient catalyst for the photodegradation of methyl orange as compared to ZnO. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Co–ZnO is attributed to the implantation of Co which inhibits the electron–hole recombination. A 100 mg/L solution of methyl orange dye was completely degraded within 130 min. The reaction kinetics has been described in terms of the Eley–Rideal mechanism.