Synthesis and characterization of Tetrachloromenthoxyphosphor@TiO2 nanocomposite as a high-performance photocatalyst for catalytic degradation of methyl violet

Abstract

In this research, a new organicâinorganic hybrid photocatalyst (TCMP@TiO₂) was successfully synthesized through supporting tetrachloromenthoxyphosphor (III) (TCMP) on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) for elimination of methyl violet (MV) color from water media. The hybrid inorganic-organic catalyst of this nanocomposite was characterized by ¹H-NMR, ³¹P-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, UV-Vis, IR, SEM, and mass spectrometry methods. The maximum dye elimination and significance of variables on the dye removal system in static condition were evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum dye removal (83.6%) of MV was obtained under optimum conditions (0.02 g catalyst dosage, 35 °C, and pH 8) in the presence of 1.5 mM of hydrogen peroxide. The higher regression coefficient of the response and the variables (R²=0.9275) showed a well investigation of the outcomes by a regression-based polynomial model. In comparison with the previously reported photocatalytic decolorization systems, the dye removal system suggested in this work is quick, easy, and involves a small amount of catalyst. This new photocatalyst shows potent visibleâlight photocatalytic activity for the decolorization of methyl violet, due to the generation the strong oxidants hydroxyl radical ( OH) and superoxide anion radical ( O₂^-) via photoelectrochemical decomposition of H₂O and O₂ in the presence of visible light irradiation. These outcomes proposed that TCMP@TiO₂ could be applied for significant removal of dyes from textile wastewater.