Enhanced photocatalytic and adsorptive degradation of organic dyes by mesoporous Cu/Al2O3–MCM-41: intra-particle mesoporosity, electron transfer and OH radical generation under visible light

Abstract

Mesoporous Cu/Al₂O₃–MCM-41 composite was synthesized by two step processes; in situ incorporation of high surface area mesoporous Al₂O₃ (MA) into the framework of MCM-41 (in situ method) followed by impregnation of Cu(II) by incipient wetness method. The interesting thing is that starch was used for the first time as template for the preparation of high surface area MA. To evaluate the structural and electronic properties, these catalysts were characterized by low angle X-ray diffraction (LXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis DRS, FTIR and photoluminescent (PL) spectra. The various cationic dye such as methylene blue (MB), methyl violet (MV), malachite green (MG) and rhodamine 6G (Rd 6G) of high concentration 500 mg L⁻¹ were degraded and adsorbed very efficiently (100%) using the 5 Cu/Al₂O₃–MCM-41 composite within 30 and 60 min, respectively. The high and quick removal of such concerted cationic organic dyes and also mixed dyes (MB+MV+MG+Rd 6G) by means of photocatalysis/adsorption is basically due to the combined effect three characteristics of synthesized mesoporous 5 Cu/Al₂O₃–MCM-41 composite. These characteristics are intra-particle mesoporosity, electron transfer and ˙OH radical generation under solar light.