Photocatalytic Effect of Zinc Oxide on The Degradation of Crystal Violet Dye Waste Water under Visible Light

Abstract

The textile industry is a major contributor to water pollution. Crystal Violet (CV) is a widely used cationic dye; however, it is toxic, difficult to degrade, and potentially carcinogenic, posing a significant threat to both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a semiconductor with a wide band gap, high chemical stability, and the ability to generate oxidative radicals capable of degrading complex organic compounds. This study aimed to examine the photocatalytic effect of ZnO on the photodegradation of Crystal Violet in a visible light-based reactor system. ZnO was synthesized using the sol-gel precipitation method, characterized using BET and a Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), and then tested for its photocatalytic activity. The test results showed that ZnO synthesized by a simple process has the potential to be an effective photocatalyst for sustainable textile wastewater treatment. Degradation CV using ZnO under 6 hours of visible light conditions could reach up to 70%.