Fabrication of sputter coated Cu impregnated TaO[sbnd]NbO composite: A synchronized scavenging photocatalyst for water purification

Abstract

Synchronized scavenging photocatalysts are needed for water purification due to the increasing demand for clean and safe water resources. The presence of organic pollutants and microorganisms in water sources can pose a significant risk to human health and the environment. This study compared the photocatalytic activity of the sputter-coated TaONbO and Cu-impregnated TaONbO/Cu nanocomposite with TiO2 (Degusa P-25) under solar radiation. The TaONbO/Cu and TaONbO nanocomposites crystallinity, structure and defects of composite, surface morphology, elemental composition and chemical state of material were evaluated by XRD, HRTEM, SEM, and XPS, respectively. Photoluminescence (PL) studies were employed to analyze the optical properties of the photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2, TaONbO/Cu and TaONbO was evaluated under solar radiation using P-Rosaniline Hydrochloride (PRH-Dye) as a model contaminant. IC and GC–MS were used to track the mineralized byproducts and intermediates produced during PRH-Dye degradation. The sputter-coated TaONbO/Cu photocatalyst was reused for up to 5 cycles, and no change in reaction kinetics was observed. This clearly indicates that TaONbO/Cu can be reused for several cycles. Using sputter-coated TaONbO/Cu photocatalysts enhanced performance compared to TiO2 and TaONbO. Using sputter-coated TaONbO/Cu photocatalysts to remove organic contamination from drinking water under solar radiation is a promising technology that can be a game-changer in the field of water treatment.