Catalytic efficiency of encapsulated coupled doped Zn-Ni TiO₂ nanocatalyst for the removal of organic pollutants and free radical assay

ABSTRACT

In this study, encapsulation of polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone and plant Tinospora cordifolia was done in coupled doped zinc-nickel titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (Zn-Ni TDNPs) via using microwave-assisted method with 2.45 GHz operating frequency and power of 700 Watts for about 120 s. The catalytic efficiency of encapsulated TDNPs was analysed through photocatalytic activity against methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) dyes, which are considered aquatic pollutants released by textiles dyes. Also, these encapsulated TDNPs were installed in scavenging activity to eliminate the free radicals 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Various physicochemical properties of the encapsulated TDNPs were analysed using different characterisation techniques. The encapsulated TDNPs had a tetragonal crystal lattice structure, with an average particle size ranging from 68 to 83 nm and spheroidal morphology. The bandgap of the encapsulated coupled doped Zn-Ni TDNPs was found to be between 3.48 and 3.55 eV. Under UV radiation, the photocatalytic activity against MO and MB dyes increased with an increase in TDNPs catalyst dosage, and in rare cases, the rate of degradation reached up to 98% for both dyes. Additionally, the encapsulated coupled doped Zn-Ni TDNPs demonstrated antioxidant activity of up to 89% against the DPPH assay.

KEYWORDS:

• Degradation
• encapsulation
• nanoparticles
• scavenging
• spheroidal

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Centre for Nano-Science and Technology in Career Point University, Hamirpur (H.P.) for providing all the necessary facilities to conduct the research work. In addition, the authors are grateful to the Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, Panjab University, Punjab and Sprint Testing Solutions, Mumbai, for assistance with the characterisation of samples.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data available on request from the authors.