Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Application of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

MgO nanoparticle was synthesized by precipitation method where MgCl2 .6H2 O, NaOH, C2 H5 OH and urea were used as precursor. Characterization of the prepared photocatalyst were done by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM analyses. Cubic crystalline phase (JCPDS card no.45-0946) and average nanocrystalline size (58 nm) was determined by XRD. The SEM of the MgO nano particles revealed the agglomerated spherical roughness morphology with size of 81 nm. TEM of the MgO nano particles showed microcrystalline aggregated nearly spherical structure with average size of 78 nm. FTIR spectra of MgO showed clear bands of Mg-O and CO2 bonds. Similarly, bands of CO3 -- and –OH were also observed. The prepared MgO photocatalyst showed 87% of the Methyl orange degradation by using H2 ix O2 in 210 min. The optimum catalyst dose was found to be 0.1 g for 100 mL of 10 ppm dye concentration for the prepared catalyst. Keywords: MgO, photocatalyst, photocatalytic degradation