Enhanced photocatalytic activities of NaLi1.07Co2.94(MoO4)5 nanoparticles under solar light

Title : Enhanced photocatalytic activities of NaLi1.07Co2.94(MoO4)5 nanoparticles under solar light

Abstract:

K₃NaCo₄(MoO₄)₆ photocatalyst has been prepared using a solid-state reaction method. First, its crystal structure is determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. This material crystallizes in trigonal system, space group R3‾ (No.148) with cell parameters a = 14.434(3) Å and c = 19.811(6) Å. The crystal structure of the title compound can be described by the junction of ribbons and MoO4 tetrahedra by sharing vertices to give a three-dimensional framework in which Na⁺ and K⁺ cations are resided. Second, the as prepared sample has been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and EDX analysis. The SEM analysis demonstrates the presence of agglomerates with uniform nanoparticles having different crystallite sizes. FTIR and Raman spectra confirm the presence of characteristic MoO₄ tetrahedra. Moreover, the optical band gap was found to be 3.5 eV. Finally, the photocatalytic removal of Acid Yellow 23 (AY-23) organic azo dye was investigated under solar light in the presence of K₃NaCo₄(MoO₄)₆ photocatalyst and H₂O₂. A good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of AY-23 dye has been noted with a removal rate reaching 98 % when adding H₂O₂ at optimum reaction.

Biography:

Rawia Nasri has a PhD in chemistry. She completed three postdoctoral positions. The first was from 2018 to 2019 at the Laboratory of Materials, University of Tunis El Manar. The second was an industrial postdoctoral position from 2019 to 2021, focused on wastewater treatment. The third postdoctoral position was carried out from 2021 to 2022 at the Laboratory of Materials and Crystal Chemistry in Tunisia.