Economic and Ultrafast Photocatalytic Degradation of Orange II Using Ceramic Powders

Different percentages of CuO and ZnO were added into a local kaolin ceramic-based powder (DD3) with and without ZrO2. The modified powders were first characterized, then, a test for the photocatalytic degradation of dyes with orange II (OII) was carried out. The DD3 powders that were obtained with the addition of ZrO2, ZnO, and CuO, were prepared by two different methods and have shown a large and very fast photocatalytic activity. Discoloration ratios of about 93.6% and 100% were reached after 15 min and 45 min, for CuO and ZnO respectively. Finally, an alternative photocatalysis mechanism, based purely on chemical reaction processes, is proposed. The photocatalysis results with modified powders are compared with the results obtained with thin films, made with the same materials.