Simple sonochemical synthesis, characterization of TmVO4 nanostructure in the presence of Schiff-base ligands and investigation of its potential in the removal of toxic dyes

Atefeh Panahi; Mojgan Ghanbari; Elmuez A Dawi; Rozita Monsef; Russul Reidh Abass; Aseel M Aljeboree; Masoud Salavati-Niasari

doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106362

Simple sonochemical synthesis, characterization of TmVO₄ nanostructure in the presence of Schiff-base ligands and investigation of its potential in the removal of toxic dyes

Ultrason Sonochem. 2023 May:95:106362. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106362. Epub 2023 Mar 9.

Authors

Atefeh Panahi¹, Mojgan Ghanbari¹, Elmuez A Dawi², Rozita Monsef¹, Russul Reidh Abass³, Aseel M Aljeboree⁴, Masoud Salavati-Niasari⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of Kashan, P.O. Box 87317-51167, Kashan, Iran.
² Nonlinear Dynamics Research Center (NDRC), Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates.
³ Al-Farahidi University, Medical Lab. Techniques Department, College of Medical Techology, Iraq.
⁴ Chemistry Department, College of Sciences for Women, University of Babylon, Iraq.
⁵ Institute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of Kashan, P.O. Box 87317-51167, Kashan, Iran. Electronic address: salavati@kashanu.ac.ir.

Abstract

Thulium vanadate (TmVO4) nanorods were successfully prepared by a simple sonochemical approach using Schiff-base ligands. Additionally, TmVO₄ nanorods were employed as a photocatalyst. The most optimal crystal structure and morphology of TmVO4 have been determined and optimized by varying Schiff-base ligands, the molar ratio of H2Salen, the sonication time and power, and the calcination time. A Eriochrome Black T (EBT) analysis revealed that the specific surface area was 24.91 m2/g. A bandgap of 2.3 eV was determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) spectroscopy, which makes this compound suitable for visible photocatalytic applications. In order to assess the photocatalytic performance under visible light, two anionic dyes (EBT) and cationic dyes (Methyl Violet (MV)) were used as models. A variety of factors have been studied in order to improve the efficiency of the photocatalytic reaction, including dye type, pH, dye concentration, and catalyst loading. Under visible light, the highest efficiency was achieved (97.7%) when 45 mg TmVO4 nanocatalysts were present in 10 ppm Eriochorome Black T at pH = 10.

Keywords: Sonochemical; Thulium Vanadate Nanostructures; Toxic Dyes, Eriochrome black T; Water contamination.