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.

Photocatalytic degradation Photocatalytic degradation is an advanced oxidation process that can degrade pollutants with high concentrations, complexity, and low biodegradability. It uses light to activate a catalyst, degrading organic pollutants.