Author:
Affat Sajda .S., ,Mohammed Saad Shahad,
Abstract
In this study, MgAl2O4 nanoparticles with different calcination times were synthesized for photocatalytic applications. Different analyses techniques such as XRD, SEM, EDX, UV-visible, and FTIR were performed to investigate the structural, chemical, optical, and mor-phological properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. XRD analysis revealed the formation MgAl2O4 spinel structure. UV-Visible measurements indicate that MgAl2O4-2 nanoparticles had a narrower energy gap compared to MgAl2O4-1 and MgAl2O4-3. Results of SEM analysis revealed that the synthesized MgAl2O4 nanoparticles consist of small aggregated particles with (40-60 nm) particles size. EDX measurements con-firmed the formation of MgAl2O4 nanoparticles without any impurities. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the photodegradation of polyethylene plastics using MgAl2O4 nanoparticles under UV irradiation. The FT-IR measurements before and after the degradation of polyethylene plastics confirm the formation of new functional groups as a result of photodegradation processes.
Publisher
Lviv Polytechnic National University
Subject
General Chemical Engineering,General Chemistry