Efficient and green oxidative degradation of methylene blue using Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles (Zn_1−xMn_xO)

Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles, Zn1−xMnxO, were synthesised by a polyethylene glycol (PEG) sol–gel method and the physicochemical properties of compounds were characterised by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic degradation of an organic dye, methylene blue (MB), in the presence of Zn1−xMnxO as the catalyst and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidant at room temperature in water has been studied. Effects of oxidant, catalyst amount, catalyst composition, pH value of the solution and an OH-radical scavenging agent on the degree of the decomposition of MB dye were also studied.