Enhanced photocatalytic activity of methylene blue using heterojunction Ag@TiO_(2)nanocomposite:Mechanistic and optimization study

The objective in this study is to investigate the adsorption-degradation of the methylene blue(MB)dye using a fabricated heterojunction Ag@TiO_(2)nanocomposite.The batch factors used in photo catalytic reactions were pH,UV-irradiation time,temperature,catalytic dosage,and concentration of MB.The results showed that 0.2×10^(3) g·ml^(-1))of the catalytic dose caused the Ag@TiO_(2)adsorption to degrade by 96.67%with darks and UV exposure.Using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model to determine the kinetic,the Ag@TiO_(2)displays a greater kinetic rate than TiO_(2)and silver nanoparticle(AgNPs).The photocatalytic degradation of MB,which is an endothermic reaction involving all catalysts,is shown by the thermodynamic parameter to have the positive value of enthalpy(ΔH°).The enthalpies observed were Ag@TiO_(2)(126.80 kJ·mol^(-1))<AgNPs(354.47 kJ·mol^(-1))<TiO_(2)(430.04 kJ·mol^(-1)).Ascorbic acid(·OH scavenger),2-propanol(·O_(2)scavenger),and ammonium oxalate(AO)(hole h+scavenger)were employed to conduct the scavenger effects.The Ag@TiO_(2)demonstrated a reduction in MB degradation when combined with 2-propanol,and this clearly demonstrated that,in contrast to hydroxyl radicals(·OH)and holeh scavengers,superoxide radical anion(O_(2)scavenger)plays a significant role in MB degradation.Utilizing density functional theory(DFT)to elucidate the mechanism and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)level optimization,the degradation-adsorption process was explained.When the N-N,C-N or C-C bonds were severed,the Fukui faction was demonstrated for nucleophilic,electrophilic,and radical attack.