Noble Metal Doped TiO2 Thin Films In The Efficient Removal of Mordant Orange-1: Insights of Degradation Process

Abstract

Nanocomposite Ag0(NPs)/TiO2 is synthesized in a facile template method enabling fine particles of reduced Ag evenly distributed within the titania network. The morphological studies of nanocomposite were extensively performed employing SEM/EDX (Scanning Electron Spectroscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) and AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy). The newer insights in the photocatalytic elimination of Mordant Orange-1 (MO1) was obtained using the nanocomposite thin film for various parametric studies utilizing the UV-A and LED illuminations. The kinetics of degradation of MO1 was performed and the rate constant was favoured at lower concentrations of MO1. However, the elimination efficiency of MO1 was favoured with decrease in solution pH. The NPOC results inferred that fairly good extent of MO1 was mineralized using thin film catalyst for both the UV-A and LED illuminations. The minimal effect of several co-ions demonstrated applicability of thin films in the elimination of MO1 and the stability of the thin film has shown the potential applicability of thin film catalyst. Further, mechanism of photocatalytic degradation was demonstrated with the radical scavengers studies and ascertained the reaction pathways.