Synthesis, characterization and application of alumina nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of congo red dye

In this study, alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol-gel method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), adsorption-desorption N2 isotherms (BET) and (BJH). Although, alumina was known as an insulator, results in this work were shown, synthesized metal oxide, act as a suitable photocatalyst. The effect of various parameters including irradiation time, pH and catalyst dosage on the degradation of congo red dye was investigated. The best results were obtained under visible light radiation and at irradiation time 30 minute, pH=4, 0.1 g catalyst.