Heterostructured Nanophotocatalysts for Degradation of Organophosphate Pesticides from Aqueous Streams

The present paper focuses on the synthesis, characterization and application of nanophotocatalyst for degradation of quinalphos and monocrotophos. Novel heterostructured ZnO/$TiO_2$ photocatalyst ($Z_9T$) was prepared and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM and UV-vis diffuses reflectance spectroscopy. The average crystalline size of synthesized $Z_9T$ was found to be 21.48 nm. The pesticides were degraded in the presence of nanophotocatalysts i.e., $TiO_2$, ZnO, $TiO_2$/ZnO mixed in various proportions and heterostructured nanophotocatalyst synthesized by Sol-Gel method. The batch experiments were performed by adding photocatalyst to 100 ml of pesticide solution and suspension was subjected to irradiation under UV light. In case of mixed catalyst, the maximum degradation of monocrotophos and quinalphos has been observed when ZnO and $TiO_2$ were in the ratio of 7:3 and 8:2 respectively. The degradation efficiency with synthesized heterostructured nanophotocatalyst ($Z_9T$) was found to be comparable with $TiO_2$.