Facile synthesis of ZnO/JBW zeolite composite derived from feldspar for efficient photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

The integration of ZnO with zeolitic frameworks offers a promising approach to developing composite photocatalysts with improved efficiency for advanced oxidation processes. In this research, JBW zeolite was produced from natural feldspar via a hydrothermal method and utilized as a substrate for synthesizing a ZnO/JBW composite. Structural and morphological analyses conducted through XRD, FTIR, SEM–EDS, TGA/DSC, and BET confirmed the successful creation of a crystalline JBW framework and uniform dispersion of ZnO within the structure, leading to improved surface properties and increased porosity. Optical evaluations of ZnO and ZnO/JBW using UV–DRS indicated a red shift in the absorption edge and a decrease in band gap energy from 3.18 eV to 3.12 eV, thereby enhancing light-harvesting efficiency. The hotocatalytic activity was assessed using Rhodamine B as a representative pollutant under UV light exposure. Under optimal settings of pH 8, 20 mg/L Rhodamine B (RhB), and 150 minutes of irradiation, the ZnO/JBW composite achieved a degradation rate of 98%, while pure ZnO only attained 65%. This improvement was attributed to the synergistic effect arising from JBW adsorption and ZnO photocatalytic oxidation, which promoted effective charge separation and increased photocatalytic performance. The results highlight that ZnO/JBW is an economical, eco-friendly photocatalyst with significant potential for use in wastewater treatment and the removal of dye pollutants.