Performance evaluation of Bi/Zn-impregnated commercial TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic nitrobenzene decomposition

BACKGROUND

Commercial TiO₂ nanoparticles were subjected to modification through Bi and Zn metal doping. The resulting catalysts were comprehensively characterized, and their performance was then reviewed for removal of model pollutant nitrobenzene in water.

RESULTS

Amidst the synthesized catalysts, the co-doping of Bi/Zn (0.25:0.75 wt%) demonstrated the best photocatalytic degradation activity, achieving 95% degradation within 90 min of reaction time, with 2.99 × 10⁻² min⁻¹ rate constant value. The involvement of different radicals during the degradation process was elucidated by employing appropriate radical scavengers. Furthermore, the degradation results were investigated applying the first-order kinetic model, leading to the determination of reaction rate constants and initial rates of the degradation process.

CONCLUSION

An improved photocatalytic activity was observed with metal doping due to the synergistic effect of doped metals with commercial TiO₂ and profound charge transfer among them. It was observed that performance was increased with temperature rise in the practical range of application, that is, 5–20 °C. This behavior was due to high rate of movement of charge carriers. Further, involvement and functioning of various radical species such as h⁺, OH⁻ and O₂⁻ in nitrobenzene degradation were successfully established using appropriate radical scavengers. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).