Synthesis and characterization of ZnO-AgCl nanocomposites and applications in the removal of reactive black 5H from wastewater

The nanocomposites of AgCl–ZnO were synthesized in water using a one-pot refluxing technique at a temperature of 90 °C. The structural properties of nanocrystal were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites was investigated by the degradation of reactive black 5H (RB5H) which indicates an improved interaction regarding the ZnO and AgCl nanostructures. The removal of the percentage of RB5H on the nanocomposite using solar light is about 97.7% . The mechanism of ZnO-AgCl nanocomposite illumination was suggested for the production of oxidizing species and their influence on degrading RB5H dye in an aqueous solution.