Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts

PVDF-ZnO nanocomposites, prepared through phase separation-assisted nanoprecipitation with varying ZnO concentrations, exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance against organic dye pollutants. Comprehensive characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and microscopic analys...

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Main Author: Anwar, Hayarunnisa (author)
Other Authors: Al-Ejji, Maryam (author), Radhika, V. (author), Ponnamma, Deepalekshmi (author)
Format: article
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2024.105670
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535224000728
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/64323
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author Anwar, Hayarunnisa
author2 Al-Ejji, Maryam
Radhika, V.
Ponnamma, Deepalekshmi
author2_role author
author
author
author_facet Anwar, Hayarunnisa
Al-Ejji, Maryam
Radhika, V.
Ponnamma, Deepalekshmi
author_role author
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Anwar, Hayarunnisa
Al-Ejji, Maryam
Radhika, V.
Ponnamma, Deepalekshmi
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2024-04-30
2025-04-20T08:40:09Z
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2024.105670
18785352
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535224000728
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/64323
4
17
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv en
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Elsevier
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Photodegradation
Phase separation
Microspheres
Photocatalysis
Nanoprecipitation
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
description PVDF-ZnO nanocomposites, prepared through phase separation-assisted nanoprecipitation with varying ZnO concentrations, exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance against organic dye pollutants. Comprehensive characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, and thermal stability studies, are employed to assess the microspheres of phase-separated PVDF composites. Band gap analysis and optical characteristics of the nanocomposites are studied using Tauc's plots. The band gap energy of ZnO is determined as 3.47 eV, and the microsphere diameter averages between 0.23 and 0.24 μm. The incorporation of 1–3 wt% ZnO increases the decomposition temperature to approximately 480 °C. Photocatalytic performance tests utilizing various organic dye pollutants such as Methyl Orange (MO), Thymol Blue (TB), and Cresol Red (CR) reveal significant degradation efficiencies of 86 %, 84 %, and 35 %, respectively, under natural sunlight exposure. Despite the reduction in crystallinity of the phase-separated PVDF particles with the addition of ZnO, notable enhancements in the photocatalytic activity are achieved for the composites. Phase separation provides a synergistic interaction between the aligned polymer chains and the ZnO nanoparticles, contributing to the high degradation efficiency. Moreover, the presence of ZnO active photocatalytic sites induces active dye degradation. The study showcases the potentiality of PVDF/ZnO nanocomposites in photocatalytic dye degradation, with recoverability of composite particles from dye solutions, a simple composite development method, and direct exposure to natural sunlight. Significant implications are anticipated in pollution control and environmental remediation through the purification of industrial wastewater.
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
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identifier_str_mv 18785352
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language_invalid_str_mv en
network_acronym_str qu
network_name_str Qatar University repository
oai_identifier_str oai:qspace.qu.edu.qa:10576/64323
publishDate 2024
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Elsevier
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rights_invalid_str_mv http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
spelling Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalystsAnwar, HayarunnisaAl-Ejji, MaryamRadhika, V.Ponnamma, DeepalekshmiPhotodegradationPhase separationMicrospheresPhotocatalysisNanoprecipitationPVDF-ZnO nanocomposites, prepared through phase separation-assisted nanoprecipitation with varying ZnO concentrations, exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance against organic dye pollutants. Comprehensive characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, and thermal stability studies, are employed to assess the microspheres of phase-separated PVDF composites. Band gap analysis and optical characteristics of the nanocomposites are studied using Tauc's plots. The band gap energy of ZnO is determined as 3.47 eV, and the microsphere diameter averages between 0.23 and 0.24 μm. The incorporation of 1–3 wt% ZnO increases the decomposition temperature to approximately 480 °C. Photocatalytic performance tests utilizing various organic dye pollutants such as Methyl Orange (MO), Thymol Blue (TB), and Cresol Red (CR) reveal significant degradation efficiencies of 86 %, 84 %, and 35 %, respectively, under natural sunlight exposure. Despite the reduction in crystallinity of the phase-separated PVDF particles with the addition of ZnO, notable enhancements in the photocatalytic activity are achieved for the composites. Phase separation provides a synergistic interaction between the aligned polymer chains and the ZnO nanoparticles, contributing to the high degradation efficiency. Moreover, the presence of ZnO active photocatalytic sites induces active dye degradation. The study showcases the potentiality of PVDF/ZnO nanocomposites in photocatalytic dye degradation, with recoverability of composite particles from dye solutions, a simple composite development method, and direct exposure to natural sunlight. Significant implications are anticipated in pollution control and environmental remediation through the purification of industrial wastewater.This publication was made possible by Qatar University through a National Capacity Building Program Grant (NCBP) [QUCP-CAM23/24-153]. Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.Elsevier2025-04-20T08:40:09Z2024-04-30Articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleapplication/pdfhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2024.10567018785352https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535224000728http://hdl.handle.net/10576/64323417enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:qspace.qu.edu.qa:10576/643232025-04-20T19:07:52Z
spellingShingle Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts
Anwar, Hayarunnisa
Photodegradation
Phase separation
Microspheres
Photocatalysis
Nanoprecipitation
status_str publishedVersion
title Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts
title_full Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts
title_fullStr Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts
title_full_unstemmed Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts
title_short Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts
title_sort Phase-separated polyvinylidene fluoride/ZnO composite microspheres as sunlight-driven photocatalysts
topic Photodegradation
Phase separation
Microspheres
Photocatalysis
Nanoprecipitation
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2024.105670
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535224000728
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/64323