Cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine: kinetics, degradation efficiency, and mechanistic analysis
Abstract In this study, cobalt titanate nanoparticles (CoTiO₃ NPs) were synthesized and applied as a photocatalyst to degrade atrazine. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis showed irregularly shaped particles prone to agglomeration, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of a...
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2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01394-5 |
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| author | Jeremiah Suleiman Nuhu Femi Emmanuel Awe Rajni Garg Rishav Garg Nnabuk Okon Eddy Hazratullah Paktin |
| author_facet | Jeremiah Suleiman Nuhu Femi Emmanuel Awe Rajni Garg Rishav Garg Nnabuk Okon Eddy Hazratullah Paktin |
| author_sort | Jeremiah Suleiman Nuhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In this study, cobalt titanate nanoparticles (CoTiO₃ NPs) were synthesized and applied as a photocatalyst to degrade atrazine. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis showed irregularly shaped particles prone to agglomeration, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of a rhombohedral CoTiO₃ phase with a crystallite size of 3.76 nm. Raman spectroscopic analysis showed vibrations typical for Ti–O and Co–O bonds and confirmed a well-defined cobalt titanate structure. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the nanoparticles remained stable up to 800 °C. The photocatalytic activity of CoTiO₃ NPs was tested under sunlight irradiation and the results obtained demonstrated excellent efficiency compared to the photolysis reaction. The efficiency was influenced by concentration (20–50 ppm), catalyst dosage (0.5–2.0 mg/L), pH (4.21–10.22), and irradiation time (0–120 min). The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a surface area of 32.5 m2/g (DFT) and 828.03 m⁻1 (BET), a pore volume of 0.03925 m3/g, and a bandgap energy of 2.66 eV. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the degradation followed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model, with the photocatalytic reaction being the rate-determining step. Adsorption rate constants were found to range from 0.03828 to 0.166528 min⁻1, while photocatalytic rate constants ranged from 0.373692 to 0.977135 min⁻1. The CoTiO₃ NPs also showed excellent recyclability, maintaining high degradation efficiency after five cycles. Scavenger experiments confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (HO•) are responsible for atrazine degradation while GCMS analysis confirmed the complete mineralization of atrazine with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) as the final degradation products. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2661-801X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Chemistry |
| spelling | doaj-art-03254c06a43248b1a7d79f59b62ce19e2025-02-09T12:09:44ZengBMCBMC Chemistry2661-801X2025-02-0119111910.1186/s13065-025-01394-5Cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine: kinetics, degradation efficiency, and mechanistic analysisJeremiah Suleiman Nuhu0Femi Emmanuel Awe1Rajni Garg2Rishav Garg3Nnabuk Okon Eddy4Hazratullah Paktin5National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Pesticides Residue/Instrument Unit, Kaduna Laboratory ServicesDepartment of Chemistry, Nigeria Defence AcademyDepartment of Applied Sciences, Galgotias College of Engineering & TechnologyDepartment of Civil Engineering, Galgotias College of Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Nuclear Science, University of NigeriaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Paktia UniversityAbstract In this study, cobalt titanate nanoparticles (CoTiO₃ NPs) were synthesized and applied as a photocatalyst to degrade atrazine. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis showed irregularly shaped particles prone to agglomeration, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of a rhombohedral CoTiO₃ phase with a crystallite size of 3.76 nm. Raman spectroscopic analysis showed vibrations typical for Ti–O and Co–O bonds and confirmed a well-defined cobalt titanate structure. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the nanoparticles remained stable up to 800 °C. The photocatalytic activity of CoTiO₃ NPs was tested under sunlight irradiation and the results obtained demonstrated excellent efficiency compared to the photolysis reaction. The efficiency was influenced by concentration (20–50 ppm), catalyst dosage (0.5–2.0 mg/L), pH (4.21–10.22), and irradiation time (0–120 min). The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a surface area of 32.5 m2/g (DFT) and 828.03 m⁻1 (BET), a pore volume of 0.03925 m3/g, and a bandgap energy of 2.66 eV. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the degradation followed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model, with the photocatalytic reaction being the rate-determining step. Adsorption rate constants were found to range from 0.03828 to 0.166528 min⁻1, while photocatalytic rate constants ranged from 0.373692 to 0.977135 min⁻1. The CoTiO₃ NPs also showed excellent recyclability, maintaining high degradation efficiency after five cycles. Scavenger experiments confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (HO•) are responsible for atrazine degradation while GCMS analysis confirmed the complete mineralization of atrazine with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) as the final degradation products.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01394-5Agricultural practicesToxicological impactAquatic systemAtrazineRemediationCobalt titanate |
| spellingShingle | Jeremiah Suleiman Nuhu Femi Emmanuel Awe Rajni Garg Rishav Garg Nnabuk Okon Eddy Hazratullah Paktin Cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine: kinetics, degradation efficiency, and mechanistic analysis BMC Chemistry Agricultural practices Toxicological impact Aquatic system Atrazine Remediation Cobalt titanate |
| title | Cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine: kinetics, degradation efficiency, and mechanistic analysis |
| title_full | Cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine: kinetics, degradation efficiency, and mechanistic analysis |
| title_fullStr | Cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine: kinetics, degradation efficiency, and mechanistic analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine: kinetics, degradation efficiency, and mechanistic analysis |
| title_short | Cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine: kinetics, degradation efficiency, and mechanistic analysis |
| title_sort | cobalt titanate nanocatalyst for enhanced photodegradation of atrazine kinetics degradation efficiency and mechanistic analysis |
| topic | Agricultural practices Toxicological impact Aquatic system Atrazine Remediation Cobalt titanate |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01394-5 |
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