Comparative analysis of ZnO, MgO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) in the photocatalytic degradation of methyl red: An experimental and COMSOL-based study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study reports the physicochemical properties of pure ZnO, MgO and CuO nanoparticles prepared by the co-precipitation method. The prepared samples were analyzed using different techniques, including SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, PL and UV-Visible spectroscopy to assess their morphological, elemental composition, structural, chemical, and optical properties. SEM examination revealed that ZnO nanoparticles exhibited superior morphological characteristics with uniform spherical structures and an average particle size of 83.5 nm compared to MgO and CuO nanoparticles, which had average particle sizes of 43 nm and 73 nm, respectively. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of highly crystalline, pure-phase nanostructures with crystallite sizes of 30.6 nm, 15.4 nm and 28.6 nm for ZnO, MgO and CuO, respectively. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups and metal-oxygen bonds. PL analysis indicated that ZnO nanoparticles exhibited the lowest emission intensity, suggesting a lower tendency for radiative electron-hole recombination. When considered together with the optical and photocatalytic results, this behavior is consistent with the comparatively favorable photocatalytic performance of ZnO nanoparticles compared to MgO and CuO NPs. UV-Vis analysis showed band-gap energies of 3.0, 4.9 and 5.5 eV for ZnO, MgO and CuO, respectively. ZnO NPs exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency for methyl red (85%) within 120 min under xenon-lamp irradiation, surpassing those of MgO (72%) and CuO (68%). COMSOL simulations validated the experimental results, confirming exceptional photocatalytic performance of ZnO nanoparticles.
Source: Results in Chemistry
Institutions: University of Gujrat, The University of Chenab, Gujrat
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,870
OpenAlex ID: W7223089027