The sono-photocatalytic performance of a Fe2O3 coated TiO2 based hybrid nanofluid under visible light via RSM

Abstract

The effect of calcination temperature on the crystallinity and morphology of novel Fe2O3- TiO2 nanosheet (FTN) dependent photocatalysts has been successfully synthesized. The results show that calcination temperature effects crystallinity, specific surface area, band gap energy, adsorption efficiency, and photocatalytic activity. As a result, Fe2O3- TiO2 nanocomposite calcinated at 450 °C has a higher BET surface area and a lower band gap energy, among other properties. Furthermore, well-dispersed Fe2O3- TiO2 /water hybrid nanofluids have been prepared to control photocatalytic agglomeration, and their photocatalytic efficiency has been evaluated by degrading the Eosin yellow (EY) dye under visible light. RSM is used to statistically analyse the influence of nanofluid concentration (1–2 vol%), initial dye concentration (50–100 ppm), reaction time (60–120 min), and ultrasonication time (60–120 min) on dye degradation. The EY degradation using Fe2O3- TiO2 /water hybrid nanofluid has first-order kinetics, with 99% optimum degradation reached in less than 120 min. Based on LC-MS and Ion chromatography findings, two related dye decomposition mechanisms are proposed. Finally, the photocatalytic degradation of EY dye was improved by the synergistic effect of Fe2O3- TiO2 nanocomposite calcination temperature and its hybrid nanofluid.