The Decoloration of Anionic and Cationic Dyes Using ZnO and ZnO-Cu2O

Abstract

ZnO and ZnO-Cu2O were grown on aluminum foam using hydrothermal method. Due to the positively charged sites on the surface, both ZnO and ZnO-Cu2O show higher adsorption capability towards anionic dyes, but poorer adsorption capability towards cationic dyes. The adsorption ability of ZnO-Cu2O is smaller than that of ZnO since there is a depletion layer at the interface. In order to decolorize cationic dyes, ZnO and ZnO-Cu2O are used as sono-catalyst with ultrasonic irradiation. The ZnO-Cu2O is better than ZnO in sono-catalysis decoloration of cationic dyes. This may be due to the enhanced piezoelectricity and electrochemical activity, as the free electrons in ZnO are reduced in the depletion layer.