Suriati Eka Putri, Diana Eka Pratiwi, Rachmat Triandi Tjahtanto, Rizal Irfandi, Muhammad Nur Alam, Nur Raisah Maddeppungeng, Heryanto, Riska Mardiyanti
This study aims to develop a reusable ZnO supported porous ceramic (ZnO/PC) photocatalyst and evaluate its effectiveness for the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV irradiation. The pelletized ZnO/PC was successfully synthesized through a sol-gel-assisted vacuum impregnation route and subsequently evaluated for the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV irradiation. Comprehensive structural and physicochemical characterizations (XRF, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and SAA) confirmed the effective incorporation of ZnO within the ceramic framework. Photocatalytic performance was systematically optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a Central Composite Design (CCD) considering solution pH, irradiation time, and initial dye concentration as key operational parameters. Under optimal conditions (pH 4, irradiation time of 180 min, and MO concentration of 10 mg/L), the ZnO/PC catalyst achieved a maximum degradation efficiency of 90.87%. Kinetic analysis indicated that the degradation followed a pseudo-first-order model, while scavenger experiments revealed that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were the dominant reactive species responsible for MO decomposition. GC–MS analysis confirmed the breakdown of MO into simpler aromatic derivatives and ultimately into low molecular weight organic acids and inorganic mineralization products. Reusability tests demonstrated that the pelletized catalyst maintained substantial activity over seven cycles, confirming its mechanical stability and practical applicability. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO/PC as an efficient and reusable photocatalyst for dye removal in wastewater treatment. © 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, East Java, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi, Makassar, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi, Makassar, Indonesia
