This paper explains an enhanced photocatalytic activity of (ZnO/TiO₂) modified by β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) through photodecoloration of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (60 W mercury lamp). The phase structures and the optical property of (ZnO/TiO₂) and (ZnO/TiO₂-β-CD) were characterized by XRD and UV-DRS analyses. The effects of various operational parameters like concentration of RhB dye, amount of catalysts, irradiation time, initial pH and ratio of (ZnO/TiO2) have been studied. The maximum removal was obtained at basic pH (pH=12). The kinetic data follows first order reaction. The photocatalytic efficiency of (ZnO/TiO₂-β-CD) is compared with (ZnO/TiO2), bare ZnO and bare TiO₂. A suitable catalytic as well as inclusion reaction mechanism for (ZnO/TiO₂-β-CD) has been established.

Keywords: (ZnO/TiO2-β-CD); (ZnO/TiO2); β-CD; Rhodamine B Dye; Visible Light;