Efficacy of a neoteric tungsten and phosphorous co-doped TiO2 nano photocatalyst: Studies on bifunctionality in abatement of dye pollutant and microbes

Abstract

Potentially improved tungsten and phosphorous co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were fabricated with various weight percentages of dopants by the simple sol–gel method for photocatalytic activity studies under visible light. XRD, TEM, BET, FTIR, SEM-EDX, XPS, and UV–vis DRS techniques characterized the catalyst samples (WPT1, WPT2, WPT3, WPT4, WPT5, and UnT). The experimental results indicated that all co-doped samples showed anatase phase (XRD), and reduced band gaps (2.78 eV to 2.84 eV) by UV–vis DRS. Co-doped TiO2 particles show smaller particle sizes (5.3Nm) with a high surface area of 122 m2/g (BET). The expected substitution of dopants and their presence in catalysts were determined by XPS. WPT3 exhibited the best optoelectronic properties. The optimum conditions for better photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye by the catalysts were achieved by analysing the kinetics of the reaction parameters such as dopant concentrations, pH, catalyst dosage, and dye concentration. At pH 9, with 0.075 g/L of WPT3 and 10 mg/L dye concentration, the dye degradation was completed within 60 min. WPT3 was also utilized for antimicrobial activity on Escherichia coli, Bacillus coagulans, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. These findings supported the utilization of catalysts in association with the renewable source of solar radiation.