Abstract
Heterojunction of multiple semiconductors is commonly employed to improve PMS-based photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants compared to a single-component photocatalytic system. The effect of photo -irradiation on the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) utilizing MoO3@ZrO2 nanocomposite for the cata-lytic degradation of diclofenac sodium (DS) is investigated in this study. The effects of catalyst dosage, PMS concentration, and reaction time were investigated systemically. In the PMS/photocatalysis reaction, the Z -scheme heterojunction structure proved to be more efficient DS degradation than single-metal oxide counterparts (MoO3 and Z(r)O(2)). PMS/MoO3@ZrO2/light considerably increased the photodegradation rate, allowing the DS removal of 90.94 %. MoO3@ZrO2 nanocomposite degraded at a rate of 3.43 x 10(2) min(1) in simulated light/ PMS, which is 2.88 and 6.08 times faster than ZrO2 and MoO3, respectively. Reactive species (SO4 center dot-, center dot OH, h(+), and center dot O-2(-)) for DS degradation were explored. The characterization results revealed that ZrO2 is coated on MoO3 nanoplates, which boosted surface adsorption sites, and decreased the bandgap of the as-prepared composites. In the PMS/MoO3@ZrO2/light system, a mechanism for catalytic degradation of DS has been postulated, and transformation intermediates generated in the process have been detected using the HPLC-TOF spectrometry approach. Additionally, MoO3@ZrO2 exhibited high stability and recycling capabilities. Mo and Zr ions leaching were found to be at considerably lower amounts after DS degradation. The fabricated MoO3@ZrO2 nano -composite has significant promise in the further use of visible light to build novel water purification solutions due to its benefits of good catalytic activity and stability.