Biocatalyst coupling with Mo-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic dye degradation: An eco-friendly approach for environmental remediation

Abstract

Specifically, biocatalyst coupled semiconductor photocatalysts have great potential towards the eco-friendly decomposition of toxic organic dyes that contaminate water bodies. This study reports the synthesis of vermiwash activated molybdenum doped tin oxide (Mo:SnO₂) nanomaterial, for the photocatalytic degradation of a representative cationic dye - methylene blue (MB). The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated using UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and the degrading efficiency of MB dye was quantified. The addition of vermiwash resulted in a marked improvement in the photocatalytic activity of Mo:SnO₂ nanoparticles, with a degradation efficiency of 96% achieved after 75 min of irradiation. The nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, FTIR, XPS and UV-vis to confirm the crystal structure, morphology, functional groups, elemental analysis and bandgap energy by using Tauc’s plot. The study demonstrates the potential of vermiwash as a green and efficient bio co-catalyst for improving the photocatalytic activity of Mo:SnO₂ nanoparticles regarding the degradation of textile effluents. Thus, this study paves a way for new eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of cost-effective, biocatalyst coupled semiconductor photocatalyst.

Keywords:

• Mo-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles
• bandgap engineering
• bio-catalyst
• photodegradation efficiency
• environmental remediation
• wastewater treatment

Authors’ contributions

R. Shalini: onceptualization, Methodology, Writing – original draft; K. Ravichandran: Supervision, Writing – review & editing; P. Kavitha: Formal analysis, Validation; PK Praseetha: Resources; R. Mohan: Formal analysis and investigation; P. Ravikumar: Formal analysis and investigation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study is financially supported by the Department of Science and Technology-SERB, Govt. of India through the Major Research project EMR/2016/003326. The authors thank DST Government of India for the experimental facilities (SEM, FTIR, etc.) established under FIST (SR/FST/College − 222/2014) in AVVM Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi, Thanjavur.