Preparation and photocatalytic properties of ZnO/SiC composites for methylene blue degradation

ZnO/SiC composites with different morphology of ZnO microstructures were obtained via hydrothermal synthesis using Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and silicon carbide as raw materials. The chemical composition, morphology and structure of the samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM. The results showed that the morphology of ZnO was rod-shaped and flower-like structures in the prepared ZnO/SiC composites. The photocatalytic properties of ZnO/SiC composites were researched by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. The photodegradation efficiency of MB had obvious differences with different ZnO morphology in ZnO/SiC composites, and the maximum degradation rate could reach 95.7% with excellent photocatalytic cycle stability. The removal rates of total organic carbon in the MB solution after 120 min and 240 min are 38.2% and 64.7%, respectively.