Enhanced photo catalytic degradation of methyl orange using p–n Co3O4-TiO2 hetero-junction as catalyst

Abstract

Abstract Photo catalytic degradation of pollutants is one of the techniques used for treatment of dye contaminated wastewater. TiO2 has attracted much attention as photo catalyst for treatment of contaminated water. In this study, the photo catalytic performance of TiO2 has been enhanced by formation of p–n Co3O4-TiO2 hetero-junction. The p–n Co3O4-TiO2 hetero-junction was prepared by wet incipient impregnation method and characterized by various techniques. The photo catalytic activity of prepared composite was evaluated by photo degradation of methyl orange. The as prepared Co3O4-TiO2 composite was found as effective catalyst than Co3O4 and TiO2. The higher photo catalytic activity was attributed to p–n junction formed between Co3O4 and TiO2. The degradation data was analyzed according to Eley–Rideal mechanism in terms of 1st and 2nd order kinetics.