Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive TiO2-rGO-PANI/PPy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine, a triazine herbicide

Abstract Photoactive nanomaterials constitute an emerging field in nanotechnology, with extensive applications in the field of electronics and photovoltaic devices, solar fuel cells, wastewater treatment, etc. In this study, a visible-light activated photocatalyst titanium dioxide (TiO2) compositing...

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Main Authors: Rachel Joseph, A. Padmanaban, S. Ida, Amy Ding, P. Wilson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-05-01
Series:Discover Chemistry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-025-00162-7
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author Rachel Joseph
A. Padmanaban
S. Ida
Amy Ding
P. Wilson
author_facet Rachel Joseph
A. Padmanaban
S. Ida
Amy Ding
P. Wilson
author_sort Rachel Joseph
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Photoactive nanomaterials constitute an emerging field in nanotechnology, with extensive applications in the field of electronics and photovoltaic devices, solar fuel cells, wastewater treatment, etc. In this study, a visible-light activated photocatalyst titanium dioxide (TiO2) compositing with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and conducting co-polymers, has been synthesized by in-situ polymerization of polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPy) by chemical oxidation and hydrothermal methods. The nanocomposite was characterized by FTIR, Raman spectra, XRD, FESEM, BET analysis and UV–Vis diffuse spectra to evaluate their properties to promote the photocatalytic reactions. The aqueous photocatalytic degradation efficiency was studied using atrazine a toxic herbicide of triazine family, under simulated sunlight using Xe-tester. Atrazine in water was quantified using HPLC and degradants identified by HPLC–MS. Finally, the nanocomposite TiO2-10%rGO-PANI-PPy proved to be a better visible light photocatalyst for decontaminating atrazine in water compared to TiO2, rGO, TiO2-rGO, TiO2-copolymer, TiO2-rGO-PANI, TiO2-rGO-PPy showing an efficiency of >99% within 50 min in pH7 with an initial concentration of 20 mg/L and catalyst load of 1 g/L. The nanocatalyst retained the photocatalytic activity even after five consecutive uses. The photocatalytic mechanism and the possible degradation pathway are inferred.
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spelling doaj-art-d63cc3fa6dde4a73aac5b7746fdc61252025-08-20T03:10:31ZengSpringerDiscover Chemistry3005-11932025-05-012113110.1007/s44371-025-00162-7Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive TiO2-rGO-PANI/PPy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine, a triazine herbicideRachel Joseph0A. Padmanaban1S. Ida2Amy Ding3P. Wilson4Department of Chemistry, Madras Christian College, University of MadrasJiangsu Rotam ChemistryDepartment of Chemistry, Madras Christian College, University of MadrasJiangsu Rotam ChemistryDepartment of Chemistry, Madras Christian College, University of MadrasAbstract Photoactive nanomaterials constitute an emerging field in nanotechnology, with extensive applications in the field of electronics and photovoltaic devices, solar fuel cells, wastewater treatment, etc. In this study, a visible-light activated photocatalyst titanium dioxide (TiO2) compositing with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and conducting co-polymers, has been synthesized by in-situ polymerization of polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPy) by chemical oxidation and hydrothermal methods. The nanocomposite was characterized by FTIR, Raman spectra, XRD, FESEM, BET analysis and UV–Vis diffuse spectra to evaluate their properties to promote the photocatalytic reactions. The aqueous photocatalytic degradation efficiency was studied using atrazine a toxic herbicide of triazine family, under simulated sunlight using Xe-tester. Atrazine in water was quantified using HPLC and degradants identified by HPLC–MS. Finally, the nanocomposite TiO2-10%rGO-PANI-PPy proved to be a better visible light photocatalyst for decontaminating atrazine in water compared to TiO2, rGO, TiO2-rGO, TiO2-copolymer, TiO2-rGO-PANI, TiO2-rGO-PPy showing an efficiency of >99% within 50 min in pH7 with an initial concentration of 20 mg/L and catalyst load of 1 g/L. The nanocatalyst retained the photocatalytic activity even after five consecutive uses. The photocatalytic mechanism and the possible degradation pathway are inferred.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-025-00162-7AtrazineTiO2PhotocatalystPhotocatalysed degradation productsAdsorbentBiocompatible
spellingShingle Rachel Joseph
A. Padmanaban
S. Ida
Amy Ding
P. Wilson
Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive TiO2-rGO-PANI/PPy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine, a triazine herbicide
Discover Chemistry
Atrazine
TiO2
Photocatalyst
Photocatalysed degradation products
Adsorbent
Biocompatible
title Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive TiO2-rGO-PANI/PPy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine, a triazine herbicide
title_full Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive TiO2-rGO-PANI/PPy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine, a triazine herbicide
title_fullStr Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive TiO2-rGO-PANI/PPy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine, a triazine herbicide
title_full_unstemmed Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive TiO2-rGO-PANI/PPy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine, a triazine herbicide
title_short Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive TiO2-rGO-PANI/PPy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine, a triazine herbicide
title_sort synthesis and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive tio2 rgo pani ppy nanocomposite towards removal of atrazine a triazine herbicide
topic Atrazine
TiO2
Photocatalyst
Photocatalysed degradation products
Adsorbent
Biocompatible
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-025-00162-7
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