Synthesis and Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO/Bone Char Composite

ZnO/bone char (ZnO/BC) composites were successfully synthesized by the precipitation of a ZnO precursor on pyrolytic bone char. The effects of bone char size, mass ratio of ZnO to BC, and molar ratio of ZnO to triethylamine (TEA) on the microstructure, specific surface area, and light absorbance of ZnO/BC were studied. The photocatalytic property of ZnO/BC was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue. Results show that with a uniform nano-ZnO particle layer distributed evenly on the bone char surface, ZnO/BC has the strongest light absorbance and can effectively degrade methylene blue. The photocatalytic performance of ZnO/BC is related to the light absorbance of the photocatalyst, as well as the amount and distribution state of the loaded ZnO. This study indicates that bovine bone waste can be used as a nano-photocatalyst carrier to prepare photocatalytic composites, which is not only a good way to clean wastewater but also an ideal solution to utilize animal bone waste.