Hydrothermally fabricated surfactant-free CuxAg1−xS composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability. Issue 18 (12th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ayodhya, Dasari; Veerabhadram, Guttena
• Is Part Of: Materials science and technology. Volume 35:Issue 18(2019)
• Page Start: 2259
• Page End: 2268
• Publication Date: 2019-12-12
• Subjects: CuxAg1−xS nanorod clusters -- organophosphorus pesticides -- electron transfer process -- degradation rate -- photocatalytic mechanism; Materials science -- Periodicals; Microstructure -- Periodicals; Metallurgy -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1080/02670836.2019.1669870
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-0836

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Here, we report the stable and surfactant-free Cu x Ag1− x S composites as nanorod clusters was fabricated by a simple hydrothermal method for the degradation of pesticides including malathion (MLT), monocrotophos (MCP), and chlorpyrifos (CPS) under ultraviolet (UV) light. The degradation of MLT, MCP, and CPS using Cu0.5 Ag0.5 S were up to 97% after 1 h of UV irradiation. The Cu0.5 Ag0.5 S nanorods displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity and the rate of degradation was higher than that of pure CuS and Ag2 S due to an efficient electron transfer process. The stability and reusability assays indicated that the Cu0.5 Ag0.5 S retained more than 90% of activity after five cycles of use. The photocatalytic mechanism was explored from the obtained results of enhanced photocatalytic activity of Cu x Ag1− x S nanorod clusters.