Layer by Layer Assembly of Zinc Oxide Nanotubes and Nanoflowers as Catalyst for Separate and Simultaneous Catalytic Degradation of Dyes and Fuel Additive

Zinc oxide nanotubes and nanoflowers are synthesized using urea as template through hydrothermal technique. XRD confirmed that product is consists of zinc and oxygen atoms forming a hexagonal crystal system with ZnO chemical formula. SEM showed that tubes and flower like particles are formed. ATR-IR confirmed the presence of Zn−O bond as a functional group. UV-VIS spectroscopic analysis exhibits that product has a band gap energy of 3.49 eV. Synthesized product due to its outstanding properties such as wide band gap semiconductor and large surface area to volume ratio is used as a catalyst for individual and simultaneous catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR) dyes. The apparent rate constant (k_app) value of individual and simultaneous catalytic degradation of CR dye is decreased with increase in catalyst dosage while k_app value of individual and simultaneous catalytic degradation of MB dye is increased with increase in catalyst dosage. The synthesized product is found more active towards CR dye as compared to MB dye. Small size and high surface area to volume ratio of product also make it a desirable additive for enhancing the efficiency of diesel fuel. Results obtained from fuel additive activity show that as the concentration of nanoadditive is increased from 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm the calorific value is increased which indicates the enhanced efficiency of fuel due to additive.