Utilization of metallurgical waste for the preparation of photocatalytically active composites based on ZnO–graphene oxide

Steel sludge was used as a source of technical zinc oxide (ZnO L ) for the preparation of ZnO–graphene oxide (ZnO L –GO) composite with photocatalytic effects. The specific surface of the manufactured product was determined by S BET method, and structural analysis was performed by FTIR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic efficiency of the ZnO L –GO composite was studied using optical methods (UV–Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence). The obtained results were confronted with a model composite prepared from pure components. It was found that the prepared ZnO L –GO composite showed excellent photodegradation activities against the azo dye Acid Orange 7 in comparison with the model composite. The presence of other metal oxides in ZnO L in conjunction with GO causes a significant increase in the photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared composite material, which can be explained by the modification of the electronic structure and more efficient separation of charge carriers. The obtained results show new possibilities in the field of processing and further use of metallurgical waste.