Synthesis, characterization and investigation of photocatalytic activity of ZnO Nanoparticles from Tilia Tomentosa (silverly linden) plant by green synthesis method

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the characterization and photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by green synthesis method to be used as catalysts for photocatalytic removal of organic dyes in wastewater. In the scope of this aim, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using Tilia Tomentosa (Silvery Linden) plant and the properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were revealed by FT-IR, XRD, UV-DRS and SEM-EDX analyses. According to XRD analysis, ZnO nanoparticles were observed to have a hexagonal crystal structure, 85.31 % cristallinity, estimated average crystallite size is 93.33 nm and ZnO nanoparticles obtained were nano-sized by SEM analysis. Photodegradation of methylene blue dye by photocatalytic method was studied using ZnO nanoparticles under UV and visible light. As a result, 99.6 % methylene blue dye degradation was achieved for ZnO (0.1 g/200 ml) and 3 mg/L initial methylene blue concentration. As a conclusion, it was observed that ZnO nanoparticles successfully were synthesized by green synthesis method can be used in the removal of organic dye pollutants in industrial wastewater. In this way, the use of ZnO nanoparticles, which are both cost-effective and eco-friendly, as photocatalysts by photocatalytic method will be advantageous for enterprises in minimizing industrial wastes.