Tailoring vanadium-doped ZnO nanostructures for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of chlorobenzene under UV–visible irradiation

This study examined the photocatalytic effectiveness of Vanadium-doped  zinc oxide (V-ZnO) nanorods in decomposing chlorobenzene (CB), a persistent hazardous pollutant derived from organochlorine insecticides. The nanorods were rationally designed and fabricated through a hydrothermal process. Zinc nitrate hexahydrate [Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O] and ammonium metavanadate (NH₄VO₃) acted as precursors for Zn²⁺ and V⁵⁺, respectively, enabling controlled doping throughout the growth of nanorods. The presence of vanadium was confirmed through surface morphology analysis carried out with SEM and elemental mapping using EDX, which also confirmed the successful fabrication of nanorod structures. CB shows the maximum photocatalytic degradation at optimum pH 5 within 2 h irradiation under UV and visible spectrum. Moreover, the composite containing 10% V-doped ZnO demonstrates the ability to address the issues related to degradation efficiency and photodegradation within the visible spectrum. The enhanced performance results from the synergistic effects of vanadium doping, which alters the band structure, facilitates efficient charge separation, and enhances visible light absorption. This study emphasizes the enormous potential of dopant-engineered ZnO nanostructures for developing efficient photocatalytic systems for environmental remediation.