Preparation and Characterization of SrO/Cu2O for Phorocatalytic Oxidation of Diphenylamine under UV Light

Abstract

Generally cuprous oxide has higher photocatalytic activity in the visible region. It is widely applicable in the field of dye degradation. SrO/Cu2O nanocomposites were synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized using SEM, EDAX, AFM and particle size analyzer. SEM, EDAX, AFM and particle size analysis studies indicate that SrO/Cu2O composites are in nano-size range. The catalytic efficiency of nanocomposites was compared with commercial mixture of SrO/Cu2O photocatalyzed oxidation of diphenylamine (DPA) using UV light of wavelength 365 nm on SrO/Cu2O nanocomposites and SrO/Cu2O semiconductor mixture surfaces in ethanol yield N-phenyl-pbenzoquinonimine. The photocatalysis was examined as a function of (DPA), airflow rate and intensity of illumination. The photocatalytic studies revealed the sustainable photocatalytic efficiencies. The product formation was high with illumination at 254 nm than at 365 nm. Electron donors like triphenylphosphene, hydroquinone and tetraethylamine do not enhance the photo-oxidation. Both anionic and cationic surfactants favor photocatalysis. Vinyl monomers neither slowdown the photo-oxidation nor undergo polymerization. Singlet oxygen quencher azide ion does not suppress the photo-oxidation. Singlet oxygen generator enhances the photocatalysis. The catalytic efficiencies of nanocomposites were nearly four times higher than that of commercial mixture of SrO/Cu2O.