Synthesis and Characterization of Copper (II) Sulfide & Cobalt Silicate Composites for Enhanced Cationic Dye Degradation from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Recently, the removal of dyes from wastewater has become one of the major ways to get treated water. An advanced oxidation process (AOP) has the potential to treat organic dye pollutants wastewater. From the advanced oxidation process, photodegradation by employing semiconductors as a photocatalyst is an attractive method for the removal of organic dye pollutants in wastewater. Among the admired photocatalysts, copper sulfide based semiconductors are one of the prominent photocatalysts for the degradation of dyes in wastewater industries with low cost, environment-friendly and sustainable treatment technologies for environmental protection. Though CuS was applied as a photocatalyst for the degradation of the dye molecule from wastewater treatment, are still limitations such as recombination in photocatalytic dye degradation performance. Cupper (II) Sulfide (CuS), Cobalt Silicate (Co2SiO4), and its composite have been synthesized through the hydrothermal and sol-gel method in which sodium silicate was synthesized from bagasse ash as a silicate source, respectively. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, PL, FTIR, and UV- Vis DRS. From the XRD diffraction pattern, it is confirmed the synthesized CuS was crystalline Covellite hexagonal structure with no other impurities peaks where the as-synthesized Co2SiO4 were amorphous with a small amount of Co3O4. The optical bandgap of the synthesized samples CuS, Co2SiO4, and CuS/Co2SiO4 -30 were estimated from DRS and PL measurement and were found to be 2.25 eV, 2.5 eV, and 2.5 eV respectively. The photocatalytic performance of the sample was evaluated for each sample, and CuS nanoparticles exhibited low photocatalytic performance of 57% in the degradation of MB, While, the amorphous Co2SiO4 shown a higher photocatalytic performance of 93%. The composite of CuS and Co2SiO4 exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance than pure CuS. The experimental results revealed that the (CuS/Co2SiO4 -30) composite achieved the highest efficiency of 88 % which is much better than CuS. The efficiencies for the photodegradation of MB dye of the photocatalyst in the CuS/Co2SiO4 -30 are stable up to 3rd cycles. Therefore, making a composite between CuS and amorphous cobalt silicate is the best candidate for the degradation of MB.Recently, The Removal Of Dyes From Wastewater Has Become One Of The Major Ways To Get Treated Water. An Advanced Oxidation Process (Aop) Has The Potential To Treat Organic Dye Pollutants Wastewater. From The Advanced Oxidation Process, Photodegradation By Employing Semiconductors As A Photocatalyst Is An Attractive Method For The Removal Of Organic Dye Pollutants In Wastewater. Among The Admired Photocatalysts, Copper Sulfide Based Semiconductors Are One Of The Prominent Photocatalysts For The Degradation Of Dyes In Wastewater Industries With Low Cost, Environment-Friendly And Sustainable Treatment Technologies For Environmental Protection. Though Cus Was Applied As A Photocatalyst For The Degradation Of The Dye Molecule From Wastewater Treatment, Are Still Limitations Such As Recombination In Photocatalytic Dye Degradation Performance. Cupper (Ii) Sulfide (Cus), Cobalt Silicate (Co2sio4), And Its Composite Have Been Synthesized Through The Hydrothermal And Sol-Gel Method In Which Sodium Silicate Was Synthesized From Bagasse Ash As A Silicate Source, Respectively. The Samples Were Characterized By Xrd, Sem, Pl, Ftir, And Uv- Vis Drs. From The Xrd Diffraction Pattern, It Is Confirmed The Synthesized Cus Was Crystalline Covellite Hexagonal Structure With No Other Impurities Peaks Where The As-Synthesized Co2sio4 Were Amorphous With A Small Amount Of Co3o4. The Optical Bandgap Of The Synthesized Samples Cus, Co2sio4, And Cus/Co2sio4 -30 Were Estimated From Drs And Pl Measurement And Were Found To Be 2.25 Ev, 2.5 Ev, And 2.5 Ev Respectively. The Photocatalytic Performance Of The Sample Was Evaluated For Each Sample, And Cus Nanoparticles Exhibited Low Photocatalytic Performance Of 57% In The Degradation Of Mb, While, The Amorphous Co2sio4 Shown A Higher Photocatalytic Performance Of 93%. The Composite Of Cus And Co2sio4 Exhibited Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance Than Pure Cus. The Experimental Results Revealed That The (Cus/Co2sio4 -30) Composite Achieved The Highest Efficiency Of 88 % Which Is Much Better Than Cus. The Efficiencies For The Photodegradation Of Mb Dye Of The Photocatalyst In The Cus/Co2sio4 -30 Are Stable Up To 3rd Cycles. Therefore, Making A Composite Between Cus And Amorphous Cobalt Silicate Is The Best Candidate For The Degradation Of Mb.