Photocatalytic activities of ZnO@Zn₂SiO₄ nanocomposites synthesized via microwave-assisted method using bio-silica derived from peanut shells

ZnO@Zn2SiO4 (ZZS) nanocomposite was synthesized via a microwave-assisted method, utilizing SiO2 extracted from peanut shells as a silicon source. Characterization through XRD, FTIR, and SEM confirmed the formation of SiO2 and ZZS nanocomposite particles, with average diameters of approximately 30.77 and 74.10 nm, respectively. The ZZS photocatalyst demonstrated superior decolorization adsorption and methylene blue adsorption compared to methyl orange, attributed to surface charge and dye type. Trapping experiments identified e(-), center dot O-2(-), and center dot OH as the main-active species. Based on these finding, we proposed a band structure alignment, and charge transfer mechanism.