Facile synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite Au0(NPs)/titanium dioxide: Photocatalytic degradation of Alizarin Yellow

Abstract

The present communication aims to synthesise the plasmonic nanocomposite Au0(NPs)/TiO2 by a facile route and to utilize material in the efficient removal of Alizarin Yellow in aqueous solutions using the UV-A light. Au0-nanoparticles were in situ doped with titania network using template method. Polyethylene glycol was employed as filler media. The nanocomposites Au0(NPs)/TiO2 (non-template) and Au0(NPs)/TiO2(T) (template) were characterized by the XRD and DRS (Diffuse Reflection Spectroscopy) methods. Surface characteristics were discussed by the SEM and TEM pictures of these materials. The interplanar distance of Au(NPs) were found to be 0.14nm and 0.20nm for the materials Au0(NPs)/TiO2 and Au0(NPs)/TiO2(T), respectively. The Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis showed heterogeneous surface structure and TiO2 were pillared on the surface. Physico-chemical studies deduced the mechanistic pathways of removal. The pseudo-first order rate constant values were decreased with the increase in dye concentrations. Further, mineralization of Alizarin Yellow was obtained at wide range of pH (pH 4.0–8.0). The nanocomposite thin films showed fairly a good stability for repeated cycle of operations in removal of Alizarin Yellow. The photocatalyst shown greater applicability in the real matrix treatment using Tlwang river water.