Efficient photocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzene by copper-doped TiO2: kinetic study, degradation pathway, and mechanism

Abstract

Cu-doped TiO₂ (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% Cu-TiO₂) photocatalyst was prepared by sol-gel method and was characterized by powder XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM, EDX, UV-vis diffuse reflectance (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectroscopy. The XRD spectrum shows tetragonal anatase phase. TEM analysis indicate that the nanoparticles were spherical with sizes 12-13 nm. The degradation of NB was studied, and an optimal degradation time of 180 min led to 98.6% NB abatement of NB = 0.05 mM, pH = 4, and catalyst loading = 50 mg/100 mL, under visible light. The degradation of NB follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics. The reusability studies indicated the excellent stability of 0.25% Cu-TiO₂.

Keywords: Kinetics; Nitrobenzene (NB); Photodegradation; Photoluminescence (PL); Sol–gel method; Toxicity.