Sol-gel template synthesis of visible photoactive Cu-S co-doped mesoporous TiO₂ catalyst

Abstract

A new visible photoactive catalyst (Cu, S/PEG-PVA/TiO₂) was synthesized by the sol-gel method. In addition, Cu, S/TiO₂ and Bare TiO₂ were synthesized to compare their properties and activities. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements, SEM, TEM, EDX, UV-Vis spectroscopy and TGA. The photocatalytic activities of the synthesized photocatalysts were evaluated by measuring the photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol under visible light irradiation. Then, the impacts of three parameters, (catalyst loading, pH and H₂O₂ concentration) for optimization and modelization of the 4-nitrophenol photodegradation were studied using the response surface methodology. Optimal conditions obtained from statistical analysis at a catalyst loading of 1 gL⁻¹, pH of 3.98 and H₂O₂ concentration of 8 mg/L have shown the highest 4-NP percentage degradation of 70.5% in 1 h. The results predicted by the models were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by performing the experiment (R² = 0.9443 and Adj-R²=  0.9038).

KEYWORDS:

• Sol-gel
• Bi-template
• Cu-S codoped
• mesoporous TiO₂
• RSM

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund - Institutional Based Research (TETF and IBR Funds) through Kano University of Science and Technology.

Notes on contributors

Abubakar Hamisu

Abubakar Hamisu joined Kano University of Science and Technology as Graduate Assistant in 2012 and is currently with the university as Lecturer I. He holds B. Sc., M. Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, Fatih University, Istanbul-Turkey and Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, respectively. He carried out Mobility Program (Research attachment) in 2019 from University Putra Malaysia for 6 months. His research interest includes Heterogeneous Photocatalysis and Battery Polymer Electrolyte. He is a member of the Chinese Chemical Society. Hamisu resides with his family in Nigeria Kano. In his free time, he plays football and TV games.

Sani Saminu Bala

Sani Saminu Bala joined Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil as Assistant lecturer and is currently with the university as Lecturer I. Prior to coming to KUST, he was a Lecturer at Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso College of Remedial Studies. Sani received his B.Sc, in Chemistry from Kano University of Science and Technology and M.Sc. from Jordan University and Technology. His research interest includes Heterogeneous Photocatalysis, the Production of biodiesel and Adsorption.

Abdu Muhammad Bello

Abdu Muhammad Bello joined as Senior Lecturer at Kano University of Science and Technology(KUST), Wudil, Kano state, Nigeria. Prior to coming to KUST, he was a Lecturer at Sa’adatu Rimi College Kano. Abdu received his B.Sc. in chemistry, M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Bayero University Kano, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and the University of Technology Malaysia, respectively. He is a member of the American Chemical Society and ICCON. His research interest includes Catalysis, nanochemistry, biodiesel and environmental chemistry.

Abdullahi Musa Abubakar

Abdullahi Musa Abubakar is Assistant Lecturer at the Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST). Prior to joining KUST, he was a lecturer at Kano College of Education. He holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry from Bayero University Kano, Nigeria and Lovely Professional University India, respectively. He obtained Education Professional Diploma from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. His research interest includes Material Science and Polymer composite.

Abel Adekanmi Adeyi

Abel Adekanmi Adeyi was born in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. He obtained B. Sc. and M. Sc. in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and a Ph.D. at the University Putra Malaysia. He started his teaching career in October 2013 at Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. He is a member of many professional bodies, including the Member Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Member Society of Petroleum Engineers and registered with the Council for the regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). His research interest includes Separation Technology, Material (Polymer) Science and Environmental Engineering.