Copper cobaltite nanocomposites with photocatalytic properties

Iranian researchers from Isfahan University produced a nanocomposite with application in the production of dye-sensitized photocatalysts.

Various samples of the nanocomposite were produced through different methods to determine the best production method with the highest efficiency. Results of the research can be used in electronics and chemical industries, and in the production of solar cells.

Cobaltite nanocomposites were used in many technologies, including the production of catalysts and sensors, electrodes and electrochemical devices, due to their unique physical and chemical properties and specific potential.

The main objective of the research was to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the properties of copper cobaltite nanostructures, which had been produced through various methods such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, urea combustion, oxalate degradation, and so on. In addition, photocatalytic, photo- electrochemical, and optical properties of the produced nanostructures were evaluated and their performance in the elimination of azo dyes were investigated.

Biological methods were used in the past to eliminate those dyes. However, these methods are not performable due to the emerging of new dyes with aromatic structure and high stability. Nowadays, new methods, including physical methods, electrochemical oxidation and chemical oxidation have taken the place of the old methods. Advanced oxidation method is among the best methods to this end. In this method, the pollutants are degraded under ultraviolet light in the presence of a semi-conductive heterogenic catalyst. The produced nanocomposite possesses this characteristic.

Azo dyes are the biggest and most important group of dyes and they have a wide range of application. This research studies the photocatalytic activity of some of synthesized nanoparticles in the degradation of azo dyes. In addition, the reaction kinetics were studied too and the velocity constant was calculated.

Results of the research have been published in Spectrochimica Acta Part A, vol. 147, issue 1, 2015, pp. 173-177.