Photocatalytic degradation of organic textile dyes using tellurium-based metal alloy. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: K, Mahendra; Fernandes, Jean Maria; Fernandes, Brian Jeevan; Bindu, K.; Ramesh, K.P.
• Is Part Of: Vacuum. Volume 199(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Metals and alloys -- Solar energy materials -- Photocatalytic dye degradation -- Tellurium-based photocatalyst -- Dual doping -- Melt-cooling method; Vacuum -- Periodicals; 621.55
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2022.110960
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-207X

Abstract

Abstract: The viability of tellurium (Te)-based Te90 Si5 Sn5 alloy synthesized using facile melt-cooling method is explored in the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) dye molecules. The Te90 Si5 Sn5 alloy catalyst synthesized by doping Te host dually with Si and Sn dopants exhibits absorption in the visible region, favoring effective degradation of organic dye molecules in the solar spectrum. The synthesized material possesses a higher surface area and demonstrates higher photocatalytic activity for CV dye when compared to MB dye. Highlights: Dual-doped tellurium-rich Te90 Si5 Sn5 is synthesized using facile melt-cooling method. Si–Sn doping and uniform distribution of the dopants in Te is confirmed. Surface area of 155.608 m 2 /g with mesopores are confirmed from BET measurements. High resolution TEM reveals spherical particles with spacing 0.54 nm. Photo-degradation of 89% and 95% is observed for MB and CV dyes.