Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using PANi—NiO nanocomposite under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Herein, we investigated the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution using PANi and PANi—NiO nanocomposite as a catalyst. The polyaniline and polyaniline—Nickel oxide (PANi—NiO) nanocomposite was synthesized via in situ oxidative polymerization method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy confirms the spherical NiO nanoparticles were coated on the surface of the polyaniline. The x-ray diffraction, optical spectra, and thermal analysis confirm the interaction between Polyaniline and NiO nanoparticles. TG analysis reveals that the PANi—NiO nanocomposite has good thermal stability than pure PANi. The specific surface area, pore volume and average pore radius of the nanocomposite were found to be 23 m2 g−1, 0.139 20 cm3 g−1, and 8.9 nm respectively. The photocatalytic ability of PANi and PANi—NiO nanocomposite was assessed by the degradation of MB dye under visible light irradiation and the PANi—NiO photocatalyst degrades 76% of MB. The observed results indicate that the as-prepared nanocomposite could be employed as an efficient photocatalyst for the removal of MB dye.