Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Aqueous Solutions Using Noble Metal-Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

Magnetic noble metal nanoparticles have garnered considerable attention in recent decades for removing organic pollutants, owing to their exceptional photocatalytic activity, reusability, chemical stability, and environmental compatibility. This study investigates the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of dyes, serving as representative organic pollutants, using Fe₂O₃/Bi/GO nanocomposite under UV light. The Fe₂O₃/Bi/GO nanocomposite was synthesized via a hydrothermal method, and its structure, morphology, and other properties were characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, and VSM techniques. The characterization results confirmed the successful synthesis of the Fe₂O₃/Bi/GO nanocomposite, with particle sizes ranging from 30 to 60 nm and notable magnetic properties. Key factors influencing dye removal, including pH, catalyst concentration, and initial dye concentration, were systematically evaluated. The findings revealed that the Fe₂O₃/Bi/GO nanocomposite exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity for removing dyes from textile wastewater. The optimal pH for degrading Yellow 3G was 3, while for Methylene Blue, it was 11. The ideal catalyst dosage for both dyes was determined to be 0.3 g/L. Under these conditions, 98.23% of 30 mg/L Yellow 3G and 96.87% of 20 mg/L Methylene Blue were effectively photodegraded. Furthermore, the synthesized nanocomposite demonstrated strong recyclability, retaining its performance over five consecutive cycles. With its high efficiency and stability, this photocatalyst offers a practical, sustainable, and eco-friendly solution for removing organic pollutants from water sources.