Efficient photocatalytic degradation of Acid Red 57 using synthesized ZnO nanowires

Zinc oxide photocatalyst was synthesized through a low‐temperature co‐precipitation process using zinc sulfate as precursor for the degradation of Acid Red 57 (AR57) under UV irradiation. The activities of the prepared photocatalyst at different calcination temperatures (400, 500, and 600 °C) were investigated. The synthesized zinc oxides were characterized by different techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption–desorption, and pH titration for the determination of the zero‐point charge (pH ZPC ). The efficiency of photocatalytic degradation of ZnO prepared at the calcination temperatures of 400, 500, and 600 °C was 90.03, 77.67, and 72.71%, respectively, after 190 min. The kinetics and scavengers of the reactive species during the degradation were also investigated. It was found that the degradation of AR57 fitted first‐order kinetics and the OH • radicals were the main species. During irradiation, the formation of OH • free radicals was ascertained by photoluminescence studies using terephthalic acid as the probe molecule.