Publication

Abstract : In response to the challenge of water pollution from dye and drug contamination, this study investigates photocatalytic deterioration of Sulfamethazine (SMZ) using zinc oxide besides Mn-doped zinc oxide nanostructures blended via precipitation technique. Transition metal oxides like ZnO are known for their stability, cost-effectiveness, and photocatalytic potential, yet their utility is often limited by UV light absorption. Doping ZnO with Mn aims to extend its absorption to visible spectrum, enhancing its applicability in environmental cleanup efforts. Structural, morphological, and compositional, besides optical properties of nanostructures were categorized via XRD, SEM, EDS, and UV–visible techniques, revealing crystallite sizes extending from 6 to 26 nm and getting a band energy gap of nearly 3.2 eV. Photocatalytic degradation experiments demonstrated a remarkable 92 % deterioration of SMZ in visible light after 120 min using 10 % Mn-doped ZnO, compared to 86 % degradation with undoped ZnO. These results underscore the enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of Mn-doped ZnO nanostructures, suggesting their promising role in advancing water purification technologies.