Evi Maryanti, Charles Banon, Rose Intan Perma Sari, Wulan Aprilia Syafitri, Iwan Syahjoko Saputra
The present research focuses on the development of ZnO/Ag2O heterostructures through a "bottom-up" approach, leveraging the biogenic reduction and stabilization properties of Aloe vera extract. This sustainable synthetic route facilitates the development of a structurally robust and environmentally benign heterostructure via a synergistic combination of chemical solution deposition and precipitation-assisted hydrothermal methods. Phase purity and structural integrity were rigorously validated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirming the coexistence of wurtzite hexagonal ZnO and cubic Ag2O phases. Electron microscopy revealed a well-defined microrod architecture, providing an optimized surface environment conducive to catalytic processes. Elemental mapping and EDS substantiated the chemical homogeneity and high purity of the composite. High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed strong electronic coupling and efficient charge redistribution at the heterojunction interface. The photocatalytic efficacy was evaluated through the degradation of Remazol Black B5 (RBB5) under solar irradiation. The ZnO/Ag2O composite enhanced maximum capacity (qmax) of 152.67 mg/g, which aligns with the Freundlich isotherm model (R2 = 0.77114). Kinetic analysis yielded a calculated apparent rate constant (kapp) of 0.03002 min−1, representing a tenfold performance enhancement over pure ZnO. Reusability tests demonstrated that the nanocomposite maintained a degradation efficiency of 58.79% after three cycles. The p–n heterojunction effectively suppresses the photoreduction of Ag2O by accelerating hole transfer, ensuring structural stability. These findings underscore the potential of ZnO/Ag2O nanohybrids as advanced, scalable catalysts for high-efficiency wastewater remediation. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Bengkulu, Jl. W.R. Supratman, Kandang Limun, Bengkulu City, 38122, Indonesia; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Bengkulu, Jl. W.R. Supratman, Kandang Limun, Bengkulu City, 38122, Indonesia; Master's Student in Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Bengkulu, Jl. W.R. Supratman, Kandang Limun, Bengkulu City, 38122, Indonesia; Department of Cosmetic Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA), Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Hui, Jati Agung, South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia
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