A novel nanocomposite for photocatalytic rhodamine B dye removal from wastewater using visible light

Providing safe access to water and addressing the impact of waterborne diseases, which claim over two million lives annually, is a major contribution to water purification. The study introduces a novel nanocomposite, Ch/Fe3O4/α-MoO3, which exhibits outstanding photocatalytic efficacy under visible light. An in-depth investigation of the nanocomposite's synthesis, characterization, and photodegradation mechanisms reveals its outstanding capabilities. Photocatalytic activity is influenced by the catalytic dose, pH, dye concentration, and reaction time, according to the study. A response surface method is used to determine the optimal conditions for Rhodamine B degradation, which results in 96.3% removal efficiency at pH 8.5, dye concentration 25 mg/L, nanocomposite dose at 22 mg/L, and reaction time 50 min. As a result of its high surface area, biocompatibility, availability, and magnetization with iron compounds, Chitosan is an excellent substrate for enhancing the photocatalytic properties of MoO3 nanoparticles. A nanocomposite with an energy band of 3.18 eV exhibits improved visible light absorption. This study confirms the nanocomposite's recyclability and stability, affirming its practicality. Besides dye removal, it offers hope for the global quest for clean water sources by addressing a broader range of waterborne contaminants. By combining molybdenum and magnetite, nanocomposite materials facilitate the degradation of pollutant and bacteria, contributing positively to society's quest for clean and safe water. It emphasizes the role nanotechnology plays in preserving human health and well-being in combating waterborne diseases.

Facile decoration of CdS nanoparticles on TiO2: robust photocatalytic activity under LED illumination

A facile approach is presented to obtain visible-light-active TiO2/CdS nanocomposites with visible-light photocatalytic activity. Ordered nanospheres of TiO2 (with anatase as the main crystalline phase) were synthesized using evaporation-induced self-assembly (EIS) with P123 block polymer without any hazardous additives. Then, a rapid microwave (MW) protocol was used to obtain visible-light-absorbing nanocomposites between TiO2 and CdS in just 10 s. Based on Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffractrograms and elemental analysis it was found that nanoparticles of CdS are mainly decorated between the nanospheres of TiO2, which can simultaneously improve light absorption and suppress the unwanted photo-corrosion effects. The prepared nanocomposites were put to test for the removal of malachite green as a model pollutant from aqueous media under irradiation. The results revealed, that excessive loading results in unwanted surface covering and less than ideal activity, but for the sample with optimized loading, about 86 and 77% of the pollutant was degraded after 100 min of illumination at room temperature under the xenon short-arc and LED illumination, respectively.