TiO2 Quantum Dots Supported Poly 2-Cl-aniline as a Photocatalyst for Organic Pollutants Mineralization and Real Wastewater Treatment Cost
摘要
This study explores the synthesis and photocatalytic properties of a composite material composed of Poly 2-chloroaniline (P2CA) and TiO2 quantum dots (TD) for environmental remediation applications. The key innovation lies in the integration of P2CA, a conductive polymer, with TD, a highly efficient semiconductor, to overcome the limitations of traditional TiO2 photocatalysts, such as poor charge carrier separation and limited visible light absorption. P2CA and its composite with TD was synthesized via a modified chemical oxidative polymerization technique and developed to enhance photocatalytic activity. The composite's optical, thermal and structural, properties were thoroughly analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–Vis spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The photocatalytic efficiency of the P2CA/TD composite was evaluated for the degradation of Dianix blue dye under both Xenon lamp irradiation and natural sunlight. The composite showed a remarkable degradation efficiency of 80%, outperforming P2CA alone (48%) and approaching that of TD (96%). Stability testing via recycling studies revealed that the composite maintained superior photocatalytic activity after six cycles, with a 22.61% reduction in activity, compared to 24.98% for P2CA and 11.88% for TiO2 alone, demonstrating enhanced stability. Additionally, the composite was evaluated for its potential in industrial wastewater treatment, showing a 29.1% reduction in operational costs and a 29.12% decrease in the financial cost of mineralizing Dianix blue dye. The antimicrobial activity of the P2CA/TD composite was tested against Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans, revealing notable antibacterial and antifungal effects, which further support its potential for biomedical applications. These findings highlight the P2CA/TD composite as a promising, economic, and sustainable photocatalyst for wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, and antimicrobial applications. Future research will focus on optimizing the material's properties for large-scale application and further assessing its performance in diverse environmental conditions.