Cu₂O-TiO₂ Composite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Benzene and its Derivatives Using Visible Light

Title:Cu₂O-TiO₂ Composite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Benzene and its Derivatives Using Visible Light

Volume: 17 Issue: 6

Author(s): Satya Vijaya Kumar Nune*Ravi Kumar Golimidi

Affiliation:

• Centre of Excellence (CoExAMMPC), Division of Chemistry, Department of Science & Humanities, Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (VFSTR), Guntur - 522213, AP,India

Keywords: Cu₂O–TiO₂ nanocomposite, visible light active photocatalyst, bandgap fine-tuning, volatile organic contaminants, degradation of benzene and its derivatives, environmental remediation.

Abstract:

Background: Heterostructured nanocomposites have gained massive attention for their catalytic properties lately. A wide array of different visible-light-active photocatalysts (VLAPs) have been extensively studied over the past couple of years to fine-tune the bandgap of various stable semiconductors.

Objective: The current investigation reports the sensitization of TiO₂ nanoparticles with nano-sized cuprous oxide, a well-studied p-type semiconductor, which has a relatively narrow bandgap ranging between 2.1 eV & 2.6 eV, to obtain a visible light active photocatalyst.

Methods: Visible-light-active Cu₂O–TiO₂ nanocomposite was synthesized using solvothermal technique. The nanocomposite’s structure and size properties were studied using powder diffraction (XRD), and electron microscopy (FESEM and HRTEM). Cu₂O-TiO₂ nanocomposite was tested on benzene, toluene and chlorobenzene in contaminated water, under UV and under visible light, for effective implementation in photocatalytic degradation of volatile organic contaminants.

Results: The said nanocomposite was crystalline and found to be 40–50 nm in size. No apparent change in the crystal lattice of TiO₂ was observed due to the introduction of copper ion, and the nanocomposite also retained a high surface area of 76.28 m2/g. The efficiency of the Cu₂O-TiO₂ nanoparticles degradation was studied both under UV light and under visible. Cu₂O-TiO₂ nanoparticles achieved 97 – 99% degradation of benzene, 92 – 97% degradation of toluene and 95 – 98% degradation of chlorobenzene in water.

Conclusion: The said Cu₂O–TiO₂ nanocomposite is photo-active and showed an overall 95% degradation within 2 hours of treatment under the visible region.

Cite this article as:

Nune Vijaya Kumar Satya *, Golimidi Kumar Ravi, Cu₂O-TiO₂ Composite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Benzene and its Derivatives Using Visible Light, Current Nanoscience 2021; 17 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573413717666210127102749