Sunlight-Induced Photocatalytic Removal of Paracetamol Using Au-TiO₂ Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Photocatalytic processes driven by solar energy offer sustainable solutions for environmental remediation.
• Developing efficient photocatalysts is crucial for degrading persistent aquatic pollutants.
• Gold-titanium dioxide (Au-TiO2) nanocomposites show potential for enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize Au-TiO2 nanocomposites for solar-driven photocatalytic degradation of aquatic pollutants.
• To investigate the synergetic effect of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with TiO2 on photocatalytic efficiency.
• To optimize parameters influencing paracetamol degradation using Au-TiO2 nanocomposites.

Main Methods:

• Au-TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized using the deposition-precipitation method.
• Characterization involved X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
• Photocatalytic activity was evaluated using paracetamol as a model pollutant under solar irradiation, optimizing pH, loading, concentration, and contact time.

Main Results:

• The synthesized Au-TiO2 nanocomposites were characterized, confirming their structure and composition.
• Optimal degradation conditions were identified: pH 6.8, 20 ppm paracetamol concentration, and 3-hour contact time.
• Over 99.17% of paracetamol was degraded using 1 g/L of Au-TiO2 nanocomposites under solar irradiation.

Conclusions:

• Au-TiO2 nanocomposites are effective photocatalysts for degrading aquatic pollutants using solar energy.
• The study demonstrates a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to water purification.
• This research paves the way for widespread application of solar-driven water treatment technologies.