Generation of novel n-p-n (CeO2-PPy-ZnO) heterojunction for photocatalytic degradation of micro-organic pollutants

• Main Authors: Rajendran, Saravanan, Hoang, Tuan K. A., Trudeau, Michel L., A. Jalil, A., Naushad, Mu., Md. Rabiul Awual, Md. Rabiul Awual
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2022
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/103739/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118375
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Recently, hetero junction materials (p-n-p and n-p-n) have been developed for uplifting the visible light activity to destroy the harmful pollutants in wastewater. This manuscript presents a vivid description of novel n-p-n junction materials namely CeO2-PPy-ZnO. This novel n-p-n junction was applied as the photocatalyst in drifting the mobility of charge carriers and hence obtaining the better photocatalytic activity when compared with p-n and pure system. Such catalyst's syntheses were successful via the copolymerization method. The structural, morphological and optical characterization techniques were applied to identify the physio-chemical properties of the prepared materials. Additionally, the superior performance of this n-p-n nanostructured material was demonstrated in the destruction of micro organic (chlorophenol) toxic wastes under visible light. The accomplished ability of the prepared catalysts (up to 92% degradation of chlorophenol after 180 min of irradiation) and their profound degradation mechanism was explained in detail.