Effective Adsorption
and Photocatalytic Degradation of Toluidine Blue using Eco-Friendly Composite: A
Comparative Study
Ameta Neeraj, Paliwal Gaurav and Tak Paras
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(10); 46-53;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2910rjce046053; (2025)
Abstract
Copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using powder of bamboo leaves and its
composite was prepared with graphite powder. This composite was characterized using
X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission
Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). It
was used for adsorption and degradation of Toluidine blue. The effect of operating
parameter such as pH, contact time, amount of composite, concentration of dye and
light intensity was observed to achieve optimum condition. Trapping experiments
indicated that superoxide radical (O2.-) is the active oxidizing species in photocatalytic
degradation while electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding played a crucial
role in the adsorption process.
It was observed that photocatalytic degradation achieved a higher degradation efficiency
of 63.19% as compared to 42.19% adsorption. It was concluded that photocatalytic
degradation was more effective than adsorption for removing toluidine blue.
