PHOTODEGRADATION ACTIVITY OF PURE, PVP CAPPED AND CHITOSAN CAPPED ZnO NANOPARTICLES AGAINST AZO RED DYE UNDER UV IRRADIATION

ZnO NPs of different surface morphologies are synthesized by different methods. These II-IV group metal oxide semiconductor photocatalysts are potentially explored photodegradation of Azo red dye in water. The structural and optical properties of synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed using XRD, SEM, UV and PL techniques. The results showed that the average particle size of the prepared nanoparticles was 15 nm - 20 nm. The photodegradation effects against azo red dye investigated by pure, PVP and Chitosan capped ZnO nanoparticles under ultra violet irradiation. The experimental results showed the azo red dye was degraded by 76% in 120 minutes when chitosan capped ZnO nanoparticles under ultra violet irradiation were used as removal catalyst, besides removal of colour. Synthesized chitosan capped ZnO nanoparticles exhibit outstanding photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation. A comparative study of photodegradation efficiency among pure ZnO, PVP caped ZnO and chitosan capped ZnO also performed. Metal oxide Semiconductor photocatalysis frequently leads to partial or complete mineralization of organic contaminants.