Copper doped ZSM-5 mediated aqueous Crystal Violet solution degradation through RSM optimization

Copper doped into ZSM-5 structure in 1:5 ratio was synthesized using hydrothermal method at 150°C for 12 h followed by calcination at 500°C and utilized for the UV light mediated photocatalytic degradation of aqueous Crystal Violet solution. The synthesized Cu/ZSM-5 structures were characterized using X-ray diffraction for their crystal structure, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for their functional properties, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and optical bandgap of 3.94 eV using UV visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy whereas electronic states using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and a surface area of 238.4 m²/g using Brunauer Emmett and Teller analysis. The process parameters were optimized using Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network and found to be 30 mg/L of dye concentration, 150 mg of the catalyst dosage and pH of 11 which showed a maximum efficiency of 99.53% and 91.53% for Cu/ZSM-5 and ZSM-5 nanoparticles respectively.