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Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B over TiO2/g-C3N4 and immobilized TiO2/g-C3N4 on stainless steel wire gauze under UV and visible light: A detailed kinetic analysis and mechanism of degradation

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Abstract

A one-step hydrothermal method was used to synthesize an efficient visible light-driven TiO2 anchored on g-C3N4 composite. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), High Resolution scanning electron microscope, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance (UV-DRS), and other techniques were used to characterize the prepared photocatalyst. The anatase phase of TiO2 was loaded on g-C3N4, according to XRD data. UV-DRS data revealed that the bandgap of nanocomposites was reduced with the addition of g-C3N4. The effect of varying TiO2 and g-C3N4 content on Rhodamine B(RhB) degradation was investigated. Under UV and visible light irradiation, photocatalytic degradation of prepared catalyst was investigated for Rhodamine B degradation. To find the optimal condition, the factors influencing the photo degradation process, such as catalyst dosage, initial concentration, and light intensity, were investigated, and a possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism was also proposed. Non-linear least squares fitting revealed the photocatalytic degradation of RhB follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. The TiO2/g-C3N4 (TG) composite is coated on stainless steel wire gauze by wash coating technique and its effect on RhB degradation was also studied and compared with TiO2/g-C3N4 nanoparticles. The increased photocatalytic activity of wire gauze coated TiO2/g-C3N4 makes them very promising for use in continuous photocatalytic degradation processes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, A. C. College of Technology, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai, 600 025, India

    N. Premalatha, P. Rajalakshmi & Lima Rose Miranda

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  1. N. Premalatha
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  2. P. Rajalakshmi
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  3. Lima Rose Miranda
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NP: Investigation, Methodology of project, writing original draft. LRM: Resources, Review and editing.

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Correspondence to Lima Rose Miranda.

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We declare that this is our original work which has not been published anywhere. Authors are thankful to Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF), IIT-Madras for supporting us in research and characterization.

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Premalatha, N., Rajalakshmi, P. & Miranda, L.R. Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B over TiO2/g-C3N4 and immobilized TiO2/g-C3N4 on stainless steel wire gauze under UV and visible light: A detailed kinetic analysis and mechanism of degradation. Reac Kinet Mech Cat 135, 1031–1046 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-022-02154-5

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