Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Hierarchical Zn-ZSM-5 Structures

Hierarchical Zn-ZSM-5 photocatalyst structures were synthesized via a hydrothermal one-pot synthesis route using a double template. Activated attapulgite (Si-ATP) and zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)2) precursors were used as silicon and zinc sources, respectively. The structural properties, morphology, photocatalytic activity and the texture properties of the synthesized Zn-ZSM-5 photocatalysts were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), diffracted ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometry (DRUV–Vis) and N2 adsorption/desorption, respectively. It was found that the composites exhibit a typical MFI framework structure, a hexahedral twin structure and typical UV absorption peaks at 292 nm and 246 nm, when the Zn/Si mole ratio reaches its optimum value of 1:100. The hierarchical nanocrystals exhibit a similar Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (309 m2 g−1) and a high mesopore ratio (37.47%) as compared to commercial zeolites. Sub-nano-sized zinc oxide (ZnO) particles with small size moieties were implanted and isolated in the silica matrices of micro-mesoporous zeolite, which had a significant photocatalytic activity and reusability of degrading methylene blue (MB) dyeing wastewater. Using a 500 W mercury lamp with the wavelength range from 185–500 nm operating during an illumination time of 30 min, the concentration of MB decreases significantly in the presence of Zn-ZSM-5 photocatalyst leading to a 95.56% of degradation, where the ratio still remained at 94.32% after six times of reuse.