Photocatalytic Degradation of Diazinon in Aqueous Solutions Using ZnO Under Visible Light Irradiation: An Advanced Oxidation Process Approach
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Keywords:
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Diazinon, Degradation, Photocatalytic, Zinc Oxide
Abstract
Diazinon is a commonly used organophosphate insecticide in agriculture, but its persistence in water and soil presents significant health and environmental concerns. This study investigates the photocatalytic removal of diazinon from aqueous solutions using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles activated by visible light irradiation. ZnO was chosen due to its excellent photocatalytic properties, including a direct band gap (~3.1 eV), strong oxidative capability, chemical stability, and non-toxic nature, making it a superior candidate for visible-light-driven environmental remediation. Photocatalytic degradation under sunlight was also assessed for comparison. Key operational parameters, such as photocatalyst dosage, solution pH, initial diazinon concentration, and irradiation time, were systematically optimized. The highest degradation efficiency degradation was achieved with 20 mg of ZnO, neutral pH, 30 mg/L an initial concentration, and 60 minutes of irradiation. Kinetic analysis revealed that the process followed zero-order reaction kinetics (k = 1.118; R2 = 0.9962). Notably, visible light irradiation was more effective than sunlight in degrading diazinon. These findings provide important details about the potential of ZnO nanoparticles as an efficient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly photocatalyst for remediating pesticide-contaminated water under sustainable energy conditions.
References
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Daneshvar, N., S. Aber, M. Seyeddorraji, A. Khataee, and M. Rasoulifard (2007a). Photocatalytic Degradation of the Insecticide Diazinon in the Presence of Prepared Nanocrystalline ZnO Powders Under Irradiation of UV-C Light. Separation and Purification Technology, 58(1); 91–98
Daneshvar, N., M. H. Rasoulifard, A. R. Khataee, and F. Hosseinzadeh (2007b). Removal of C.I. Acid Orange 7 From Aqueous Solution By UV Irradiation in the Presence of ZnO Nanopowder. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 143(1–2); 95–101
Ghodsi, S., A. Esrafili, R. R. Kalantary, M. Gholami, and H. R. Sobhi (2020). Synthesis and Evaluation of the Performance of G C3N4 / Fe3O4 /Ag Photocatalyst for the Efficient Removal of Diazinon: Kinetic Studies. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 389; 112279
Hossaini, H., G. Moussavi, and M. Farrokhi (2017). Oxidation of Diazinon In Cns-ZnO/LED Photocatalytic Process: Catalyst Preparation, Photocatalytic Examination, and Toxicity Bioassay of Oxidation By-Products. Separation and Purification Technology, 174; 320–330
Jo, Y. W., C. Loka, K.-S. Lee, and J.-H. Lim (2020). Fabrication of Ag2O / WO3 P–N Heterojunction Composite Thin Films By Magnetron Sputtering for Visible Light Photocatalysis. RSC Advances, 10(27); 16187–16195
Jonidi-Jafari, A., M. Gholami, M. Farzadkia, A. Esrafili, and M. Shirzad-Siboni (2017). Application Of Ni-Doped ZnO Nanorods for Degradation of Diazinon: Kinetics and By-Products. Separation Science and Technology, 52(15); 2395–2406
Jonidi-Jafari, A., M. Shirzad-Siboni, J.-K. Yang, M. Naimi-Joubani, and M. Farrokhi (2015). Photocatalytic Degradation of Diazinon with Illuminated ZnO–TiO2 Composite. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 50; 100–107
Joudeh, N. and D. Linke (2022). Nanoparticle Classification, Physicochemical Properties, Characterization, and Applications: A Comprehensive Review for Biologists. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 20(1); 262
Kalantary, R. R., Y. Dadban Shahamat, M. Farzadkia, A. Esrafili, and H. Asgharnia (2015). Photocatalytic Degradation and Mineralization of Diazinon in Aqueous Solution Using Nano-TiO2 (Degussa, P25): Kinetic and Statistical Analysis. Desalination and Water Treatment, 55(2); 555–563
Khayat Sarkar, Z. and F. Khayat Sarkar (2013). Selective Removal of Lead (II) Ion from Wastewater Using Superparamagnetic Monodispersed Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles As an Effective Adsorbent. International Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 9(2); 109–114
Khoiriah, K., D. V. Wellia, J. Gunlazuardi, and S. Safni (2020). Photocatalytic Degradation of Commercial Diazinon Pesticide Using C,N-Codoped TiO2 As Photocatalyst. Indonesian Journal of Chemistry, 20(3); 587
Kumar, A. (2017). A Review on the Factors Affecting the Photocatalytic Degradation of Hazardous Materials. Material Science & Engineering International Journal, 1(3); 1–10
Li, D., W. Su, M. Huang, J. Liu, B. Li, W. Huang, M. Fan, L. Dong, and H. He (2020). The Synthesis of High Photocatalytic Activity BiOBr Nanosheets with Dominant Exposed (010) Facets. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 31(16); 13040–13050
Lu, G., F. Chu, X. Huang, Y. Li, K. Liang, and G. Wang (2022). Recent Advances in Metal-Organic Frameworks-Based Materials for Photocatalytic Selective Oxidation. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 450; 214240
Mahmood, I., S. R. Imadi, K. Shazadi, A. Gul, and K. R. Hakeem (2016). Effects of Pesticides on Environment. In Plant, Soil and Microbes. Springer International Publishing, pages 253–269
Maleki, A., F. Moradi, B. Shahmoradi, R. Rezaee, and S.-M. Lee (2020). The Photocatalytic Removal of Diazinon from Aqueous Solutions Using Tungsten Oxide Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Immobilized on Glass Substrate. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 297; 111918
Mamatha, K. S., M. Shashank, G. Nagaraju, and H. M. S. Kumar (2022). Combustion Synthesis of Calcium Doped ZnO Nanoparticles for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye. Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 99(11); 100744
Mohammadi, A., H. Mirhosseini, A. Hekmatiyan, L. Abdolahi, F. Mehrabi, and M. Shahmirzaei (2023). Efficient Degradation of Parathion as A Pollutant and Diazinon as A Nerve Agent By Reaction Mechanism with RGO Co3O4/ZnO Nanocomposite Photocatalyst. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(5); 110912
Mohammadi, M., A. Maleki, S. Zandi, E. Mohammadi, E. Ghahremani, J.-K. Yang, and S.-M. Lee (2020). Photocatalytic Decomposition of Aqueous Diazinon Using Reduced Graphene/ZnO Nanocomposite Doped with Manganese. Desalination and Water Treatment, 184; 315–325
Mohammadzadeh Kakhki, R. and F. Ahsani (2020). Development of A Novel and High Performance Visible-Light-Induced Cd3OSO4 Nanophotocatalyst for Degradation of Diazinon. Applied Organometallic Chemistry, 34(9); e5770
Moussavi, G., H. Hosseini, and A. Alahabadi (2013). The Investigation of Diazinon Pesticide Removal from Contaminated Water By Adsorption Onto NH4Cl-Induced Activated Carbon. Chemical Engineering Journal, 214; 172–179
Munguti, L. K., F. B. Dejene, and D. K. Muthee (2023). High Photodegradation Performance of ZnO Nanoparticles Supported on Porous Zeolite Na-A: Effects of ZnO Loading. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 295; 127063
Naimi Joubani, M., M. A. Zanjanchi, and S. Sohrabnezhad (2020). The Carboxylate Magnetic–Zinc Based Metal-Organic Framework Heterojunction: Fe3O4 COOH@ZIF-8/Ag/Ag3PO4 for Plasmon Enhanced Visible Light Z-Scheme Photocatalysis. Advanced Powder Technology, 31(1); 29–39
Nakaoka, Y., H. Katsumata, S. Kaneco, T. Suzuki, and K. Ohta (2010). Photocatalytic Degradation of Diazinon in Aqueous Solution By Platinized TiO2. Desalination and Water Treatment, 13(1–3); 427–436
Noorimotlagh, Z., R. Darvishi Cheshmeh Soltani, A. R. Khataee, S. Shahriyar, and H. Nourmoradi (2014). Adsorption of A Textile Dye in Aqueous Phase Using Mesoporous Activated Carbon Prepared from Iranian Milk Vetch. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 45(4); 1783–1791
Ong, C. B., L. Y. Ng, and A. W. Mohammad (2018). A Review of ZnO Nanoparticles as Solar Photocatalysts: Synthesis, Mechanisms and Applications. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81; 536–551
Pink, R. M. (2016). Water Rights In China and India: A Human Security Perspective. Asian Affairs: An American Review, 43(2); 19–35
Premalatha, N. and P. Rex (2024). A Comprehensive Review on Photocatalytic Degradation of Organophosphorus Pesticide Using ZnO Coupled Photocatalysts. Desalination and Water Treatment, 320; 100753
Qin, Z., S. Liu, S. Liang, Q. Kang, J. Wang, and C. Zhao (2016). Advanced Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater with Combined Micro-Electrolysis, Fenton Oxidation, and Coagulation Sedimentation Method. Desalination and Water Treatment, 57(53); 25369–25378
Ramadhini, T. K., T. E. Agustina, E. Melwita, and M. S. Wijayanti (2023). Photocatalytic Degradation of Heavy Metals Cd, Cu, Fe and Pb Using ZnO-Zeolite Nanocomposite. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 7(4); 147–152
Safitri, V. Y., A. Santoni, D. V. Wellia, K. Khoiriah, and S. Safni (2017). Degradation of Paracetamol By Photolysis Using C-N-Codoped TiO2. Molekul, 12(2); 189
Sajjad, A. K. L., S. Sajjad, A. Iqbal, and N.-A. Ryma (2018). ZnO/WO3 Nanostructure as An Efficient Visible Light Catalyst. Ceramics International, 44(8); 9364–9371
Sakkas, V. A., A. Dimou, K. Pitarakis, G. Mantis, and T. Albanis (2005). TiO2 Photocatalyzed Degradation of Diazinon in An Aqueous Medium. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 3(2); 57–61
Sridhar, A., P. Sakthivel, K. Saravanakumar, and R. K. Sankaranarayanan (2023). Dual Doping Effect of Ag+ & Al3+ on the Structural, Optical, Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles. Applied Surface Science Advances, 13; 100382
Sun, Y., W. Zhang, Q. Li, H. Liu, and X. Wang (2023). Preparations and Applications of Zoinc Oxide Based Photocatalytic Materials. Advanced Sensor and Energy Materials, 2(3); 100069
Tehubijuluw, H., R. Subagyo, Y. Kusumawati, and D. Prasetyoko (2022). The Impregnation of ZnO Onto ZSM-5 Derived from Red Mud for Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue. Sustainable Environment Research, 32(1); 4
Zhang, Q., B. Gu, and W. Fang (2024). Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Conversion of Furfural and Its Derivatives. Green Chemistry, 26(11); 6261–6288
Abramovi?, B. F., V. N. Despotovi?, D. V. Šoji?, D. Z. Or?i?, J. J. Csanádi, and D. D. ?etojevi? Simin (2013). Photocatalytic Degradation Of The Herbicide Clomazone in Natural Water Using TiO2: Kinetics, Mechanism, and Toxicity of Degradation Products. Chemosphere, 93(1); 166–171
Baig, A., M. Siddique, and S. Panchal (2025). A Review of Visible-Light-Active Zinc Oxide Photocatalysts for Environmental Application. Catalysts, 15(2); 100
Chen, C.-Y., M.-C. Cheng, and A.-H. Chen (2012). Photocatalytic Decolorization of Remazol Black 5 and Remazol Brilliant Orange 3R By Mesoporous TiO2. Journal of Environmental Management, 102; 125–133
Daneshvar, N., S. Aber, M. Seyeddorraji, A. Khataee, and M. Rasoulifard (2007a). Photocatalytic Degradation of the Insecticide Diazinon in the Presence of Prepared Nanocrystalline ZnO Powders Under Irradiation of UV-C Light. Separation and Purification Technology, 58(1); 91–98
Daneshvar, N., M. H. Rasoulifard, A. R. Khataee, and F. Hosseinzadeh (2007b). Removal of C.I. Acid Orange 7 From Aqueous Solution By UV Irradiation in the Presence of ZnO Nanopowder. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 143(1–2); 95–101
Ghodsi, S., A. Esrafili, R. R. Kalantary, M. Gholami, and H. R. Sobhi (2020). Synthesis and Evaluation of the Performance of G C3N4 / Fe3O4 /Ag Photocatalyst for the Efficient Removal of Diazinon: Kinetic Studies. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 389; 112279
Hossaini, H., G. Moussavi, and M. Farrokhi (2017). Oxidation of Diazinon In Cns-ZnO/LED Photocatalytic Process: Catalyst Preparation, Photocatalytic Examination, and Toxicity Bioassay of Oxidation By-Products. Separation and Purification Technology, 174; 320–330
Jo, Y. W., C. Loka, K.-S. Lee, and J.-H. Lim (2020). Fabrication of Ag2O / WO3 P–N Heterojunction Composite Thin Films By Magnetron Sputtering for Visible Light Photocatalysis. RSC Advances, 10(27); 16187–16195
Jonidi-Jafari, A., M. Gholami, M. Farzadkia, A. Esrafili, and M. Shirzad-Siboni (2017). Application Of Ni-Doped ZnO Nanorods for Degradation of Diazinon: Kinetics and By-Products. Separation Science and Technology, 52(15); 2395–2406
Jonidi-Jafari, A., M. Shirzad-Siboni, J.-K. Yang, M. Naimi-Joubani, and M. Farrokhi (2015). Photocatalytic Degradation of Diazinon with Illuminated ZnO–TiO2 Composite. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 50; 100–107
Joudeh, N. and D. Linke (2022). Nanoparticle Classification, Physicochemical Properties, Characterization, and Applications: A Comprehensive Review for Biologists. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 20(1); 262
Kalantary, R. R., Y. Dadban Shahamat, M. Farzadkia, A. Esrafili, and H. Asgharnia (2015). Photocatalytic Degradation and Mineralization of Diazinon in Aqueous Solution Using Nano-TiO2 (Degussa, P25): Kinetic and Statistical Analysis. Desalination and Water Treatment, 55(2); 555–563
Khayat Sarkar, Z. and F. Khayat Sarkar (2013). Selective Removal of Lead (II) Ion from Wastewater Using Superparamagnetic Monodispersed Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles As an Effective Adsorbent. International Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 9(2); 109–114
Khoiriah, K., D. V. Wellia, J. Gunlazuardi, and S. Safni (2020). Photocatalytic Degradation of Commercial Diazinon Pesticide Using C,N-Codoped TiO2 As Photocatalyst. Indonesian Journal of Chemistry, 20(3); 587
Kumar, A. (2017). A Review on the Factors Affecting the Photocatalytic Degradation of Hazardous Materials. Material Science & Engineering International Journal, 1(3); 1–10
Li, D., W. Su, M. Huang, J. Liu, B. Li, W. Huang, M. Fan, L. Dong, and H. He (2020). The Synthesis of High Photocatalytic Activity BiOBr Nanosheets with Dominant Exposed (010) Facets. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 31(16); 13040–13050
Lu, G., F. Chu, X. Huang, Y. Li, K. Liang, and G. Wang (2022). Recent Advances in Metal-Organic Frameworks-Based Materials for Photocatalytic Selective Oxidation. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 450; 214240
Mahmood, I., S. R. Imadi, K. Shazadi, A. Gul, and K. R. Hakeem (2016). Effects of Pesticides on Environment. In Plant, Soil and Microbes. Springer International Publishing, pages 253–269
Maleki, A., F. Moradi, B. Shahmoradi, R. Rezaee, and S.-M. Lee (2020). The Photocatalytic Removal of Diazinon from Aqueous Solutions Using Tungsten Oxide Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Immobilized on Glass Substrate. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 297; 111918
Mamatha, K. S., M. Shashank, G. Nagaraju, and H. M. S. Kumar (2022). Combustion Synthesis of Calcium Doped ZnO Nanoparticles for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye. Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 99(11); 100744
Mohammadi, A., H. Mirhosseini, A. Hekmatiyan, L. Abdolahi, F. Mehrabi, and M. Shahmirzaei (2023). Efficient Degradation of Parathion as A Pollutant and Diazinon as A Nerve Agent By Reaction Mechanism with RGO Co3O4/ZnO Nanocomposite Photocatalyst. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(5); 110912
Mohammadi, M., A. Maleki, S. Zandi, E. Mohammadi, E. Ghahremani, J.-K. Yang, and S.-M. Lee (2020). Photocatalytic Decomposition of Aqueous Diazinon Using Reduced Graphene/ZnO Nanocomposite Doped with Manganese. Desalination and Water Treatment, 184; 315–325
Mohammadzadeh Kakhki, R. and F. Ahsani (2020). Development of A Novel and High Performance Visible-Light-Induced Cd3OSO4 Nanophotocatalyst for Degradation of Diazinon. Applied Organometallic Chemistry, 34(9); e5770
Moussavi, G., H. Hosseini, and A. Alahabadi (2013). The Investigation of Diazinon Pesticide Removal from Contaminated Water By Adsorption Onto NH4Cl-Induced Activated Carbon. Chemical Engineering Journal, 214; 172–179
Munguti, L. K., F. B. Dejene, and D. K. Muthee (2023). High Photodegradation Performance of ZnO Nanoparticles Supported on Porous Zeolite Na-A: Effects of ZnO Loading. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 295; 127063
Naimi Joubani, M., M. A. Zanjanchi, and S. Sohrabnezhad (2020). The Carboxylate Magnetic–Zinc Based Metal-Organic Framework Heterojunction: Fe3O4 COOH@ZIF-8/Ag/Ag3PO4 for Plasmon Enhanced Visible Light Z-Scheme Photocatalysis. Advanced Powder Technology, 31(1); 29–39
Nakaoka, Y., H. Katsumata, S. Kaneco, T. Suzuki, and K. Ohta (2010). Photocatalytic Degradation of Diazinon in Aqueous Solution By Platinized TiO2. Desalination and Water Treatment, 13(1–3); 427–436
Noorimotlagh, Z., R. Darvishi Cheshmeh Soltani, A. R. Khataee, S. Shahriyar, and H. Nourmoradi (2014). Adsorption of A Textile Dye in Aqueous Phase Using Mesoporous Activated Carbon Prepared from Iranian Milk Vetch. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 45(4); 1783–1791
Ong, C. B., L. Y. Ng, and A. W. Mohammad (2018). A Review of ZnO Nanoparticles as Solar Photocatalysts: Synthesis, Mechanisms and Applications. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81; 536–551
Pink, R. M. (2016). Water Rights In China and India: A Human Security Perspective. Asian Affairs: An American Review, 43(2); 19–35
Premalatha, N. and P. Rex (2024). A Comprehensive Review on Photocatalytic Degradation of Organophosphorus Pesticide Using ZnO Coupled Photocatalysts. Desalination and Water Treatment, 320; 100753
Qin, Z., S. Liu, S. Liang, Q. Kang, J. Wang, and C. Zhao (2016). Advanced Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater with Combined Micro-Electrolysis, Fenton Oxidation, and Coagulation Sedimentation Method. Desalination and Water Treatment, 57(53); 25369–25378
Ramadhini, T. K., T. E. Agustina, E. Melwita, and M. S. Wijayanti (2023). Photocatalytic Degradation of Heavy Metals Cd, Cu, Fe and Pb Using ZnO-Zeolite Nanocomposite. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 7(4); 147–152
Safitri, V. Y., A. Santoni, D. V. Wellia, K. Khoiriah, and S. Safni (2017). Degradation of Paracetamol By Photolysis Using C-N-Codoped TiO2. Molekul, 12(2); 189
Sajjad, A. K. L., S. Sajjad, A. Iqbal, and N.-A. Ryma (2018). ZnO/WO3 Nanostructure as An Efficient Visible Light Catalyst. Ceramics International, 44(8); 9364–9371
Sakkas, V. A., A. Dimou, K. Pitarakis, G. Mantis, and T. Albanis (2005). TiO2 Photocatalyzed Degradation of Diazinon in An Aqueous Medium. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 3(2); 57–61
Sridhar, A., P. Sakthivel, K. Saravanakumar, and R. K. Sankaranarayanan (2023). Dual Doping Effect of Ag+ & Al3+ on the Structural, Optical, Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles. Applied Surface Science Advances, 13; 100382
Sun, Y., W. Zhang, Q. Li, H. Liu, and X. Wang (2023). Preparations and Applications of Zoinc Oxide Based Photocatalytic Materials. Advanced Sensor and Energy Materials, 2(3); 100069
Tehubijuluw, H., R. Subagyo, Y. Kusumawati, and D. Prasetyoko (2022). The Impregnation of ZnO Onto ZSM-5 Derived from Red Mud for Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue. Sustainable Environment Research, 32(1); 4
Zhang, Q., B. Gu, and W. Fang (2024). Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Conversion of Furfural and Its Derivatives. Green Chemistry, 26(11); 6261–6288
Authors
Umam, H. I., Pambudi, T. ., Widianto, E., Yuliasari, F., Putri, F. A. R. ., Nandira, R. S., & Utami, M. R. . (2025). Photocatalytic Degradation of Diazinon in Aqueous Solutions Using ZnO Under Visible Light Irradiation: An Advanced Oxidation Process Approach. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 9(3), 105-114. https://doi.org/10.26554/ijems.2025.9.3.105-114
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