New Metal Oxide Nanocomposite

• Context (PIB): A new metal oxide nanocomposite has been developed to help photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants like dyes and pharmaceuticals.

Metal Oxide Nanocomposite

• It was developed by the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous Department of Science and Technology (DST) institution.
• It consisted of Ni-doped TiO₂ on Fuller’s earth (NiTF), tested as a photocatalyst for methylene blue decolourisation.
• Fuller’s earth improved TiO₂ adsorption in dark, suggesting cost-effective environmental photocatalysts.

Metal Oxide Photocatalysis

• It involves using metal oxide materials as catalysts that light can activate to promote chemical reactions.
• These photocatalysts absorb light energy and produce pairs of electrons and holes, which can take part in redox reactions that degrade pollutants into harmless by-products.
• Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), Zinc oxide (ZnO), and Tungsten trioxide (WO₃) are common catalysts used in photocatalysis due to their stability and absorption properties.
• Factors affecting efficiency of Metal oxide Photocatalysis: Choice of metal oxide, Crystal structure, Light parameters, Pollutant concentration, pH, Catalyst loading.

Applications

• Photocatalysis: Helps in removing organic pollutants from water bodies.
• Energy storage: Used in solar cells.
• Sensors: Used in ultra trace-level gas sensors.
• Biomedical fields: Used as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents.
• Coatings and optoelectronics.
• Renewable energy production through water splitting.