Photocatalytic degradation of dyes using DVT grown cobalt doped ReSe2: Unveiling its evolving photocatalytic potential

Water pollution plays a major role in environmental pollution and is a serious issue to be resolved to sustain the earth & healthy life on the globe. Amongst, dyeing industries play a crucial role in contributing to the negative effects on the water ecosystem. Herein, we introduce DVT-grown Co_xRe_1-xSe₂(x = 0, 0.25) catalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of the toxic dyes discharged from industries for water remediation. The synthesized catalysts using the Direct Vapor Transport (DVT) technique were characterized using like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), Raman spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy & X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to study their structural, morphological, elemental, vibrational, optical and electronic properties respectively. Photocatalytic experiments were carried out for the degradation of various organic dyes like Methylene Blue (MB), Malachite Green (MG), Acridine Orange (AO) & Methyl Orange (MO) under visible light illumination of a 23 W LED bulb. Among these, Co_0.25Re_0.75Se₂ catalyst showed the highest efficiency in degrading 98 % of AO dye in just 60 min revealing its efficient catalytic properties. Initial and final values of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) were also carried out. The photocatalytic efficiency with varying pH was obtained. Recyclability experiments confirmed the stability of catalysts essential for practical applications. Hydroxyl radicals and holes were found to be responsible for the degradation as output by the trapping experiment. Thus, these findings suggest Co_xRe_1-xSe₂(x = 0, 0.25) catalysts to be promising for water remediation.