Abstract
The Zn0.3Al0.4O4.5 nanoparticles (ZnAlONPs) with size of 70–90 nm are used as an efficient photocatalyst for formaldehyde (HCHO) degradation and effective adsorbent for the removal of eriochrome black-T (EBT) dye from synthetic aqueous solution. Degradation of HCHO reactions were studied using TiO2 (homemade), TiO2 (P-25) and ZnAlONPs by irradiating under 18 W daylight lamp source for photocatalytic degradation. The HCHO degradation rate is about 67, 76 and 89% for TiO2 (homemade), TiO2 (P25) and ZnAlONPs during 2 h reaction, respectively at initial formaldehyde gas concentration of 20 ppm. Maximum adsorption capacity was optimized by changing the parameters such as pH, EBT concentration and adsorbent dosage. A 200 mg of ZnAlONPs are useable for quick removal of EBT (>95%). Langmuir isotherm model showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 90.90 mgg−1. The ZnAlONPs could be successfully reused upto 5th adsorption/desorption cycle for EBT dye removal from water samples.