Search

Photocatalysis utilizing titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysts doped with metal/non-metal has shown great potential in degradation of recalcitrant pollutant like Diclofenac sodium (DCLF). DCLF is one of the most detected pharmaceuticals in water matrices. In this study, a straight-forward sol–gel method for synthesis of cerium (Ce)-doped and boron (B)–Ce co-doped TiO2 photocatalysts has been used. By adjusting the ratio of Ce and B in TiO2 in the prepared photocatalysts, the optimum dopants' concentration was selected and the photocatalytic characteristics of the prepared materials were investigated. The prepared photocatalysts were thoroughly characterized using common physiochemical methods, such X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), physisorption (BET), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), in order to know more about the structure. Structure and elemental mapping analyses proved the presence of Ce and B in the TiO2 containing anatase phase with a tetragonal structure. The optical properties using a UV–Vis DRS showed a reduction in the bandgap upon Ce/B co-doping. The photocatalytic results obtained showed that Ce–B-doped TiO2 outperforms undoped TiO2 and Ce-doped TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clays are widely accepted for dye removal from wastewater. Here, in this work, nanobentonite was synthesized by a simple, rapid, and cost-effective chemithermal method. Additionally, nanobentonite was coupled with hematite nanoparticles via thermal coupling to prepare a nanocomposite with enhanced surface absorption. Surface morphology, compositional and structural analysis of synthesized samples were done using various characterization techniques. Results suggested that nanobentonite and nanocomposite having an average diameter of 35.36 and 21.85 nm respectively were synthesized. Nanocomposite exhibited increased surface area. Additionally, the ability of all samples as an adsorbent for removal of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR), from an aqueous solution was investigated under various optimization conditions. Adsorption kinetics revealed that Pseudo II order equation fits well for the adsorption process following intraparticular diffusion mechanism for both the dyes. The adsorption equilibrium data of MB and CR was fitted well by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm model, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters suggested adsorption process is endothermic and spontaneous in nature with increased entropy value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]