Synthesis of Polyaniline Supported CdS/CdS-ZnS/CdS-TiO2 Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Applications

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation can be increased by improving photo-generated electrons and broadening the region of light absorption through conductive polymers. In that view, we have synthesized Polyaniline (PANI) with CdS, CdS-ZnS, and CdS-TiO2 nanocomposites using the chemical precipitation method, characterized and verified for the photo-degradation of Acid blue-29 dye. This paper provides a methodical conception about in what way conductive polymers “PANI” enhances the performance rate of composite photocatalysts (CdS, CdS-ZnS and CdS-TiO2). The nanocomposites charge transfer, molar ratio, surface morphology, particle size, diffraction pattern, thermal stability, optical and recombination of photo-generated charge carrier properties were determined. The production of nanocomposites and their efficient photocatalytic capabilities were observed. The mechanism of photocatalysis involved with PC, CZP and CTP nanocomposites are well presented by suitable diagrams representing the exchange of electrons and protons among themselves with supported equations. We discovered that increasing the number of nanocomposites in the membranes boosted both photocatalytic activity and degradation rate. CdS-Zinc-PANI (CZP) and CdS-TiO2-PANI(CTP) nanocomposites show entrapment at the surface defects of Zinc and TiO2 nanoparticles due to the demolition of unfavorable electron kinetics, and by reducing the charge recombination, greater photocatalytic activity than CdS-PANI (CP) with the same nanoparticle loading was achieved. With repeated use, the photocatalysts’ efficiency dropped very little, hinting that they may be used to remove organic pollutants from water. The photocatalytic activity of CZP and CTP photocatalytic membranes was greater when compared to CdS-PANI, which may be due to the good compatibility between CdS and Zinc and TiO2, as well efficient charge carrier separation. PANI can also increase the split-up of photo-excited charge carriers and extend the absorption zone when combined with these nanoparticles. As a result, the development of outrageous performance photocatalysts and their potential uses in ecological purification and solar power conversion has been facilitated. The novelty of this article is to present the degradation of AB-29 Dye using nanocomposites with polymers and study the enhanced degradation rate. Few studies have been carried out on polymer nanocomposites and their application in the degradation of AB-29 dyes and remediation of water purposes. Nanoparticle CdS is a very effective photocatalyst, commonly used for water purification along with nanoparticle ZnS and TiO2; but cadmium ion-leaching makes it ineffective for practical and commercial use. In the present work, we have reduced the leaching of hazardous cadmium ions by trapping them in a polyaniline matrix, hence making it suitable for commercial use. We have embedded ZnS and TiO2 along with CdS in a polyaniline matrix and compared their photocatalytic activity, stability, and reusability, proving our nano-composites suitable for commercial purposes with enhanced activities and stabilities, which is a novelty. All synthesized nanocomposites are active within the near-ultraviolet to deep infrared (i.e., 340–850 nm). This gives us full efficiency of the photocatalysts in the sunlight and further proves the commercial utility of our nanocomposites.

Recent Advances in the Removal of Organic Dyes from Aqueous Media with Conducting Polymers, Polyaniline and Polypyrrole, and Their Composites

“…The list of simple polyaniline composites includes the following moieties: bismuth oxychloride [ 95 ]; cadmium sulfide [ 96 , 97 ]; carbon nitride [ 98 ]; magnetite [ 89 ]; multiwall carbon nanotubes [ 99 ]; nickel [ 100 ]; reduced graphene oxide [ 101 ]; silver molybdate [ 29 ]; silver oxide [ 102 ]; tin dioxide [ 103 ]; titanium dioxide [ 104 , 105 , 106 ]; tungsten trioxide [ 107 ]; zinc oxide [ 61 , 104 , 108 , 109 , 110 ]; zirconium dioxide [ 9 ].…”

“…Ternary systems are more useful for practical applications ( Table 2 ) but also more difficult to interpret because each component can participate in dye adsorption. The latest examples are: attapulgite/ g -carbon nitride [ 112 ]; bismuth(III) oxyiodide/reduced graphene oxide [ 10 ]; cerium dioxide/polystyrene [ 113 ]; cobalt/zinc ferrite [ 90 ]; sodium bismuthate/polycarbonate [ 114 ]; titanium dioxide/cadmium sulfide [ 97 ]; titanium dioxide/chitosan [ 115 ]; titanium dioxide/poly(vinylidene fluoride) [ 84 , 85 ]; zinc oxide/graphene oxide/viscose [ 116 ]; zinc/magnetite [ 117 , 118 ].…”

Investigating the effects of Mn content on the morphology and dielectric properties of CdS nanoparticles

“…Recent research into semiconductor nanoparticles has made it clear that II-VI semiconductor nanoparticles are becoming increasingly relevant to successful applications due to their large bandgap as well as their unique optical and chemical properties. One of the most common applications of these materials is in the field of optoelectronics, spintronics, and light-emitting devices [1][2][3]. To achieve the fundamental role of technological applications and advanced research materials, such as solar cells, several transition metals can be doped into semiconductor nanocrystals [4,5].…”

Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity ofpolyaniline grafted Fe3O4@ZnO/GO as a recyclable photocatalyst

“…In recent years, polymer nanostructures have received much attentions and researches due to their great importance in photocatalytic activities [1]. Metal/polymer composites have attracted a lot of attention due to their wide range of applications such as water treatment, the textile industry, food packaging, sensors, and medical devices [2][3].…”