Highly efficient TiO2/AgBr/PANI heterojunction with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity towards degradation of organic dyes

Abstract

In this work, we reports preparation of novel TiO2/AgBr/PANI nanocomposite, as visible-light-driven photocatalyst via a convenient low-temperature method. The prepared sample was characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy techniques. The rhodamine B dye in aqueous solution was chosen as an environmental dye pollutant model. Photocatalytic activity for degradation of RhB increased from just 12.2% degradation with TiO2 to 43.6, 64.6 and 98.6% with TiO2/AgBr, TiO2/PANI and TiO2/AgBr/PANI after 140 min. The high activity of TiO2/AgBr/PANI nanocomposite could be attribute to more absorption in visible range, formation of heterojunction between counterparts and efficiently separation of the charge carriers, which was subsequently confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy and active spices trapping with different scavengers. Moreover, for the purpose of access the wide applications of the prepared samples, methylene blue and methyl orange were chosen as typical organic pollutants and degraded with prepared samples. The photostability and recyclability of TiO2/AgBr/PANI nanocomposite was investigated after five runs.