Bimetallic Au–Cu Alloy Nanoparticles over Titania-Doped, Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide in Photodegradation of MB, C–N Coupling, and Oxidation of Alcohols and Hydrocarbons

Abstract

In the quest for sustainable and green chemistry solutions, we present the design and evaluation of a highly efficient heterogeneous nanocatalyst, AuCu@rGO/IL/TiO₂ which demonstrates remarkable potential in the degradation of MB dye and organic transformations Synthesized nanocatalyst was characterized using advanced techniquessuch as P-XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, XPS, etc. to elucidate its structural and functional properties. HR-TEM micrographs revealed that the nanocatalyst exhibit a spherical morphology, with an average size of 3–4 nm optimal for catalysis, as it maximizes surface reactivity, exploits electronic and synergistic effects. BET analysis confirmed the catalyst's high specific surface area of 49.614 m²/g, coupled with a total pore volume of 0.08146 cm³/g and a mean pore radius of 1.52 nm, which improves the catalytic activity of the nanocatalyst. TGA results demonstrated that the catalyst remains stable and effective in catalyzing organic transformations up to 170 °C. With its nano-sized active sites, high surface area, and exceptional reusability, the AuCu@rGO/IL/TiO₂ catalyst outperforms conventional catalysts, achieving a 98 % efficiency in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB), highlighting its environmentally friendly and highly efficient nature. This work highlights the development of a sustainable supported bimetallic nanocatalyst which offers significant advancements in both environmental remediation and organic transformations.