Photocatalytic degradation of dyes in aqueous media by gum shellac stabilized selenium nanoparticles

Abstract The present work outlines the successful synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) stabilized with gum shellac (GS) and their use as photocatalyst for the enhanced degradation of dyes. Se NPs were synthesized by a simple and cost effective chemical reduction method using selenious acid, GS and sodium borohydride. Gum shellac was used as stabilizing agent. The orange red gum shellac-selenium nanoparticles (GS–Se NPs) were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The morphology of these particles appeared to be uniform and spherical as observed in SEM images. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic profile showed the presence of elemental selenium, carbon and oxygen. The synthesized GS–Se NPs were investigated for their photo-catalytic efficiency towards degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dye in aqueous media. Absorbance was measured at λ max 665 nm and 455 nm for MB and MO, respectively. Maximum degradation of MB in-comparison with MO obtained at 50 mg/L were 81.72 % and 71.42 % respectively. A very slow degradation rate was observed for the MO and MB in the absence of synthesized photocatalyst whereas greater percentage degradation was observed for the GS–Se NPs.