Facile synthesis of nanostructured ZnCuBi-NO3/SO4 layered double hydroxides for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

In this study, nanostructured ZnCuBi-NO3/SO4 layered double hydroxides (LDH) was developed followed by a co-precipitation approach using precursors such as ZnSO4 center dot 7H(2)O, CuSO4 center dot 5H(2)O and Bi(NO3)(3)center dot 5H(2)O, and well characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. Using absorbance data, Tauc plot was plotted and band gap energy of ZnCuBi LDH was calculated and found to be 1.73 eV. The material was applied as an efficient photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light of a 100 W Tungsten lamp at optimum factors such as concentration of MB 10 mg L-1, pH 8.0, catalyst dosage 10 mg, and shaking time of 30 min at room temperature. The degradation efficiency of the material was calculated and found to be >= 95.5% with RSD <= 4%. The method worked well on the synthetic solutions of MB, prepared in tap water, wastewater, and seawater of different concentrations.