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Engineered ZnO‐TiO 2 Nanospheres for High Performing Membrane Assimilated Photocatalytic Water Remediation and Energy Harvesting
Author(s) -
Shejale Kiran P.,
Laishram Devika,
Gupta Ritu,
Sharma Rakesh K.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201800988
Subject(s) - photodegradation , materials science , photocatalysis , methyl orange , graphene , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , membrane , electrode , catalysis , visible spectrum , chemistry , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
This paper is a study of ZnO doped TiO 2 in various percentages ranging from 0% (undoped) up to 10%. The effect of doping was observed via the change in morphological, optical, electrical and physical properties of ZnO‐TiO 2 nanospheres. Hydrothermally grown nanospheres are used for removing contaminants photo‐catalytically from waste water and also as photoanodes in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with graphene as counter electrode. Of the many approaches that have been explored for purification of contaminated water, this work presents designing of an environmental friendly solution, based on easily available filter paper membrane and incorporating it with the synthesized catalyst for photodegradation of the harmful toxic substances. These reusable membranes assist in the photodegradation process by creating room for better light‐catalyst‐dye interaction via large surface sites. The spherically structured heterojunction of ZnO‐TiO 2 generates excitons that oxidize methyl orange (MO) and reduce harmful Cr(VI) to non‐toxic Cr(III) with high efficacy. Additionally, the agile nanostructures were employed as efficient photoanode material by fabricating dye sensitized solar cells with graphene as counter electrode.