Eco-friendly synthesized SnO2@Cu(O,S) nanocomposite catalysts for (Photo-) catalytic removal of selected chemical pollutants

Title : Eco-friendly synthesized SnO2@Cu(O,S) nanocomposite catalysts for (Photo-) catalytic removal of selected chemical pollutants

Abstract:

The application of green technology in synthesizing single-phase, heterostructure, and composite heterogeneous catalyst nanomaterials addresses critical environmental challenges while improving synthesis precision, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. In this study, a novel approach was developed using ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract as an efficient nucleating agent to precipitate SnO?, Cu(O,S), and their composites at varying SnO? weight percentages. The resulting catalysts were systematically characterized to examine their pure and composite properties. Notably, the presence of larger SnO? nanoparticles interspersed among smaller Cu(O,S) nanoparticles enhanced electron delocalization across interfaces due to surface charge disparities, enabling complete Cr(VI) reduction within 16 minutes under dark conditions. Further exposure to broad-spectrum visible light source stimulated electron-hole pair generations, driving the oxidation and reduction of persulfate ions and H?O to produce sulfate and hydroxyl radicals. Consequently, the photodegradation of methylene blue and tetracycline was achieved within 90 minutes. Overall, the resulting catalyst nanomaterials show great potential in overcoming current limitations, such as reliance on hazardous chemicals, inefficient catalyst preparation methods, and challenges in removing both heavy metal and organic pollutants.

Audience Take Away

• Green synthesis of SnO₂@Cu(O,S) composite nanomaterials using fresh ginger extract.
• The combination promoted electrons delocalization, responsible for faster reduction of Cr(VI) under dark conditions
• Wide spectrum visible light source further promoted electron/hole pair formations, responsible for the oxidation and reduction of persulphate ions and H₂O into sulphate and hydroxide radicals, which degraded organic pollutants.
• The applications of the resulting nanomaterials can be explored in other research fields including battery technology, solar cells, antibacterial activities, and drug deliveries.
• The experimental method can also be used as a base reference for the synthesis of other nanomaterials in different research fields.

Biography:

Dr. Zeleke studied Physical Chemistry at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, and graduated with an MSc in 2013. He then joined the research group of Professor Dong-Hau Kuo at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan in 2016 and received his PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 2019. Currently, he is working as a postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of Professor Witold Kwapinski, University of Limerick, Ireland, and Professor Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia under the DOROTHY MSCA COFUND programme, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101034345, Research Ireland, Health Research Board (HRB), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-Ireland.